Armed gunmen have abducted more than 80 students, including toddlers as young as two years old, in a series of coordinated attacks on schools across Nigeria over the past week.
The wave of kidnappings began Friday morning when attackers stormed three schools in Mussa town, Borno State, in northeastern Nigeria. Authorities confirmed that at least 42 children were taken from Mussa Day Secondary, Mussa Central Primary, and State Universal Basic Education Board Secondary School.
Most of the abducted children were between the ages of two and five, with 34 victims taken from nursery classrooms. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen used the children as human shields while escaping on motorcycles, preventing security forces from engaging the attackers, according to the Washington Post.
In a separate incident just hours later, armed assailants launched coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria, killing two people and abducting dozens more.
The attackers, who operated on motorcycles, simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and Community Grammar School with LA Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele around 8 a.m. Friday.
An assistant headmaster, identified as Mr. Adesiyan, was shot dead during the assault, along with a motorcycle taxi rider who resisted the gunmen's attempt to steal his vehicle. Vice Principal Mrs. Alamu Folawe and an unspecified number of pupils and students were taken captive.
Police in Oyo State arrested three suspects on Saturday who were identified by local residents. Authorities continue to assess the exact number of students kidnapped in both states as security forces conduct rescue operations, US News reported.
The Oyo State government ordered the immediate closure of all primary schools in four local government areas as a precautionary measure.
No group has claimed responsibility for either attack, though the Borno State incident bears the hallmarks of Boko Haram militants who have previously carried out similar school raids in the region. Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South confirmed that security troops have been deployed to the area and are actively searching for the abductors.
Human rights organization Amnesty International condemned both attacks. The kidnappings represent the latest in a pattern of school abductions that have plagued Nigeria, with authorities still working to secure the safe return of the victims, as per Save the Children.
