The abduction of hundreds of schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, in April 2014 marked a turning point in Nigeria’s security crisis, transforming schools from centres of learning into recurring targets of armed groups.
Over the past decade, attacks on educational institutions by insurgents, bandits and criminal gangs have resulted in the kidnapping of at least 2,531 students in no fewer than 31 major incidents across the country.
Beyond the numbers, the attacks have left lasting scars on families, disrupted academic activities and raised persistent concerns about the safety of children within Nigeria’s education system.
From Chibok to Kuriga, and from Dapchi to Ogbomoso, the pattern of assaults has highlighted the growing vulnerability of schools, particularly in rural communities.
Below is a timeline of some of the most significant school attacks and student abductions recorded in Nigeria since 2014.
February 2014: Buni Yadi massacre
Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State, on February 25, 2014, killing 58 male students in their dormitories and destroying 24 school buildings.
April 2014: Chibok abduction
On April 14, 2014, militants stormed Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, and abducted at least 276 schoolgirls, triggering global outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
March 2016: Ikorodu seminary attack
Three female students were kidnapped from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary in Ikorodu, Lagos State, before being rescued by security operatives.
January 2017: Ogun college invasion
Gunmen abducted five students and three staff members from the Nigeqrian Turkish International College in Isheri, Ogun State, and released them after 11 days.
May 2017: Epe school kidnapping
Six students of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, were abducted and later regained freedom after spending 65 days in captivity.
February 2018: Dapchi schoolgirls abducted
Boko Haram fighters kidnapped 113 students from Government Girls Secondary and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, with most later released except Leah Sharibu, who remains in captivity.
December 2020: Kankara and Dandume attacks
More than 303 students were abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, and released six days later.
Days afterwards, about 80 Islamiyya students travelling from a religious event in Dandume were kidnapped before being rescued by police.
February 2021: Kagara and Jangebe abductions
Gunmen seized 41 students, staff and relatives from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.
On February 26, another 317 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State.
March 2021: Afaka college raid
Thirty-nine students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, were kidnapped by armed men.
April 2021: Greenfield University tragedy
Twenty students and two staff members were abducted from Greenfield University in Kaduna State.
Five students were killed in captivity before the remaining victims were released following reported ransom payments.
May 2021: Niger Islamic school attack
About 150 students were abducted from an Islamic school in Niger State, with some reportedly dying before others regained freedom months later.
June 2021: Birnin Yauri attack
More than 96 students and eight teachers were kidnapped from Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State.
July 2021: Bethel Baptist school abduction
Over 153 students and staff were abducted from Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna State, in one of the largest school attacks of the year.
August 2021: Zamfara college attack
Bandits kidnapped 15 students and four staff members from Zamfara College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Bakura.
September 2021: Kaya school abduction
Seventy-three students were abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, Zamfara State.
January 2023: Nasarawa primary school attack
Six pupils were kidnapped from a primary school in Doma Local Government Area, with all eventually rescued.
September–October 2023: Zamfara, Kano and Keffi incidents
About 24 students were abducted from a hostel in Zamfara State, while reports also indicated the kidnapping of 20 students in Kano.
Four students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, were kidnapped after gunmen attacked their residence.
January 2024: Ekiti school bus attack
Gunmen attacked a school bus conveying pupils of Apostolic Faith Secondary School in Ekiti State, later releasing the pupils and their teacher while the driver was found dead.
March 2024: Kuriga and Sokoto abductions
Gunmen kidnapped 287 students from Government Secondary School, Kuriga, Kaduna State.
A day later, 15 students were abducted from a Tsangaya school in Sokoto State before being rescued after two weeks.
November 2025: Kebbi and Niger mass kidnappings
Twenty-five female students were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State.
Days later, 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Niger State.
April 2026: Ogun and Kogi attacks
Five students of Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun State, were kidnapped and later rescued.
Gunmen also attacked a school and orphanage facility in Lokoja, Kogi State, abducting over 20 pupils before authorities announced their rescue.
May 2026: Chibok and Ogbomoso attacks
Militants abducted 42 children from a primary school in Chibok, Borno State, between May 13 and 14.
On May 15, gunmen invaded three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, abducting dozens of students and staff members, while an assistant headmaster identified as Adesiyan was killed during the attack.
More than a decade after the Chibok abduction drew global attention, school attacks continue to underscore the security challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector, with thousands of students affected by a crisis that remains one of the country’s most enduring humanitarian concerns.
