5/14/2024 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Gunmen recently invaded the campus of Confluence University of Science and Technology in Kogi state, Nigeria, and abducted nine students from their classrooms. The May 10 attack marks the third school abduction this year.
Nigeria is still one of the most dangerous places for Christians. With three large-scale terrorist groups running rampant, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Boko Haram, and the Fulani militants, Christians face danger on many fronts. Meanwhile, government leaders routinely deny the rights of Christians, support Shariah, and overlook religious-based violence.
Unfortunately, schools are another place where Christians must remain vigilant.
Kidnappings conducted by known terrorists and others repeatedly affect students in Northern Nigeria. Extremists have abducted at least 1,400 students since Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok village in 2014,
According to risk analysts SBM Intelligence, 3,620 people were abducted in 582 kidnap-related incidents in Nigeria from September 2022 to September 2023. SBM recorded 4,777 abductions since current President Tinubu took office in May 2023.
Before the kidnapping of these nine students, the most recent abduction occurred in March, with at least 130 students taken from their school in Kuriga, Kaduna.
Many victims of these abductions are still missing, including nearly 100 Chibok girls.
After the most recent kidnapping in March, President Tinubu released a statement saying, “I have received briefing from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued. Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered.”
