From classrooms to captivity: How bandits, criminals turned schools into ransom goldmines

 As bandits and criminal networks continue to exploit and profit from lapses in security, families and communities are paralysed by the fear of abductions, especially as the focus shifts to the most vulnerable—children, AYOOLA OLASUPO reports

In early December 2024, terror swept through Kafin Dawa, a remote village in Zamfara State, as armed men stormed in under the cover of darkness, their assault rifles gleaming in the moonlight.

The gunmen moved with chilling precision, going door-to-door and dragging terrified women and children from their homes.

Screams of despair filled the air as gunshots rang out—a deafening warning to anyone who dared resist.

Hassan Ya’u, a local resident who narrowly escaped, described the chaos: “Over 50 women, including married women and young girls, were taken.”

In the aftermath of the attack, fear lingers like a heavy cloud over the village. For the families left behind, every passing moment is a torment, each second stretching into an eternity of uncertainty.

This latest mass abduction follows a grim pattern of kidnappings that have rocked the country in years past.

Rescued from kidnappers’ clutches

Daily, the pain and trauma associated with child kidnappings continue to weigh heavily on Nigerian families.

On January 18, 2025, authorities made a startling declaration: a staggering 207 children had been rescued nationwide from suspected traffickers in a sweeping crackdown.

And in a chilling revelation of Nigeria’s deepening kidnapping crisis, police operatives in Ondo State, in January 2025, arrested a notorious syndicate involved in child abduction and illegal trafficking.

Acting on intelligence about a missing child in Okuta Elerin-Nla, Akure, officers launched a swift operation and rescued 14 children—including 10 toddlers and four infants—from the clutches of their captors.

In another unsettling case, three children abducted in Bauchi State and trafficked across the country to Anambra State were freed through a coordinated effort between the Bauchi and Anambra State Police Commands.

These cases are just a drop in the ocean of such ugly happenings across the country.

Tragic, yet real

Stories like these highlight not just the personal devastation experienced by countless families but also the growing menace of insurgents and other criminal elements exploiting vulnerabilities within communities.

Their grim consequences continue to plague Nigeria, painting a harrowing picture of insecurity and vulnerability, particularly for children.

As the scars deepen, experts are calling for urgent, coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable children and expedite justice for victims and their families.

A grim pattern

Statistics on these incidents paint an alarming picture.

By 2024, the trend of abductions had continued to rise, defying mechanisms put in place to curb the menace.

More tragic incidents

On Monday, January 29, 2024, a harrowing incident unfolded in Ekiti State, Nigeria, when gunmen ambushed a school bus travelling from Emure-Ekiti to Eporo-Ekiti.

The vehicle, carrying six pupils, three teachers, and the driver, was intercepted by the assailants along the boundary between Ekiti and Ondo States. The captives were forcibly taken into the dense forests, leaving their families and the community in profound distress.

In the days that followed, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N100 million for their release. Negotiations ensued, and on Sunday, February 4, 2024, the hostages were freed.

Tragically, the bus driver did not survive the ordeal; his lifeless body was later found, showing clear signs that he had been killed and burned by the abductors.

In May of the same year, several police officers were arrested in connection with the abduction of five children—including a two-week-old baby girl—in Sokoto State.

March 7, 2024, a criminal gang kidnapped over 200 students from a government school in Kariga, Kaduna State. Also, March 8, 15 pupils kidnapped from a boarding school in Gidau Bakuso village in Sokoto State.

Schools implement stringent measures

In response to the growing wave of abductions, school owners, especially across northern states have implemented stringent security measures to safeguard students.

These include the installation of advanced surveillance systems, deployment of trained security personnel, and fortified perimeter fencing to prevent unauthorised access.

A proprietor of a private school in Bauchi State, Musa Shuaibu, revealed that rising fears of kidnappings had compelled his school to tighten security protocols.

Access to the premises is now strictly regulated, requiring proper identification for all visitors.

Teachers and students are well-acquainted with one another, while security personnel remain on high alert for any suspicious activity. These measures, he noted, have restored a sense of safety among staff and students, allowing learning to continue without fear.

“Before now, we had security personnel working in shifts—some arriving early in the morning, others staying overnight,” Shuaibu explained. “There were times when no one was allowed near the school gate unless properly identified.”

He added that the school management had partnered with security agencies, including the police, civil defence corps, and local community leaders, who provide regular intelligence updates to ensure safety.

Similarly, the principal of a secondary school in Katsina State, Francis Dickson, disclosed that his institution had adopted proactive measures to protect students.

Pupils are encouraged to move in groups, particularly when commuting via school buses.

In addition, security education has been incorporated into Civic Education lessons, while extracurricular groups such as the Peace Corps, Red Cross, and Entrepreneurship Club help raise awareness about personal safety.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Dickson expressed concern that many children remain vulnerable due to a lack of security awareness.

“We operate in a highly sensitive environment. Once students are in uniform, they become identifiable targets. That’s why we’ve put systems in place,” he said.

“We advise students to travel in groups, and we monitor those using school buses versus other means of transportation. We’ve learned from past incidents. My school is located in the town centre, but those in more isolated areas face greater risks,” he continued.

Dickson also stressed the importance of parental vigilance, stating that only designated persons are allowed to pick up students. If an unfamiliar individual is to collect a child, parents must inform the school in advance.

“To further boost awareness, we invite NYSC members to speak with students regularly. We also have a slogan: ‘If you see something, speak up. When you speak up, you save lives.’”

In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, the National Chairman of the Proprietors of Private Schools, Otubela Abayomi, affirmed that the association was actively working to ensure robust security measures were in place across member institutions.

According to him, all affiliated schools were required to implement stringent safety protocols to protect students from the growing threat of kidnappings.

He outlined key mandatory measures, including the construction of perimeter fencing, the deployment of trained security personnel, and the installation of CCTV cameras around school premises.

Abayomi stressed that communication was crucial in responding to emergencies.

“For those in charge of security, including school management and appointed security personnel, we have ensured they can communicate in real-time if any issue arises, providing immediate access to the school through their mobile devices,” he said.

Beyond physical security enhancements, Abayomi highlighted the association’s collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies, including the police, civil defence corps, and vigilante groups.

He noted that regular meetings were held with police divisions closest to schools, ensuring swift responses to potential threats. Additionally, the association organised sensitisation workshops—both virtual and in-person—to train school administrators on risk management and emergency response.

To further bolster safety, weekly security assessments were conducted to identify and address any vulnerabilities within school premises.

“Sometimes, we invite the Nigeria Police Force to patrol schools periodically. This has proven to be an effective deterrent, sending a strong signal to potential attackers that the schools are well-guarded,” Abayomi stated.

He also addressed the voluntary nature of membership in the association, explaining that while joining was not compulsory, schools were encouraged to participate for their own benefit.

“The right to association is a fundamental freedom guaranteed by law. We do not compel anyone to join, but we advise and encourage those interested. Some individuals, due to personal beliefs, may feel they do not need to be part of any association,” Abayomi explained.

The national chairman further highlighted the association’s influence in national policymaking, revealing its crucial role in shaping education policies.

“Whenever the government convenes the National Education Council—the highest decision-making body for education policy in Nigeria—our association is always represented. This ensures our members receive firsthand information on government interventions, including security-related matters,” Abayomi added.

He added that the association had introduced state-level initiatives to promote best practices in school safety.

“Our school safety programme is fully integrated into the police network, fostering direct collaboration between our association and the Nigeria Police Force,” Abayomi stated.

Children’s safety rests on government’s shoulders

A Professor of Guidance and Counselling at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Cosmas Adomeh, underscored the urgent need for the Federal Government to collaborate with state and local authorities to dismantle the kidnapping industry that has flourished across the country.

He lamented that abductions had become a lucrative enterprise for criminals, warning that no society could guarantee the safety of its children under such conditions.

Adomeh dismissed the notion that merely providing security education or deploying armed personnel around schools could effectively safeguard children.

“You cannot continue to leave society at the mercy of kidnappers. Everyone lives in fear. Children are just one of many victims. Parents drop them off at school in the morning, only to return and find that someone else has taken them away,” he said.

Security experts react

A former Commander of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven, Major General Henry Ayoola (retd.), emphasised the need for the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to tackling the scourge of kidnapping by prioritising intelligence gathering and identifying those behind the crimes.

“You cannot fight an enemy you have not identified,” he stated. “As a military professional, the first lesson we learn is to define the enemy and gather as much intelligence as possible. Before executing any plan, you must have a clear understanding of your adversary.”

Ayoola stressed the importance of precision in intelligence operations, warning that a failure to properly diagnose the problem had allowed kidnapping to persist.

“We keep circling around the issue instead of confronting it head-on. If these kidnappers are not Nigerians, how did they get here? Who facilitated their entry? These are fundamental questions we need to address. We have intelligence and security agencies for this purpose, and they must step up to their responsibilities,” he added.

A security expert and fellow of the International Institute of Professional Security, Jackson Olalekan-Ojo, noted that schools had become prime targets for kidnappers due to the high concentration of defenceless children in one location.

“These criminals know that schools offer them an opportunity to seize multiple hostages at once. Children are defenceless, making them highly vulnerable to kidnappers. The abduction of children triggers overwhelming public concern—from parents, neighbours, and the government. Kidnappers understand that abducting adults may not generate the same level of urgency, which is why they focus on schools,” he said.

Police call for inclusive policing strategy

Despite the alarming rise in kidnappings across the country, the Nigeria Police Force has continued to reassure citizens of its unwavering commitment to rescuing victims held in captivity.

Highlighting recent successes—such as the rescue of 20 medical students from the University of Maiduguri and Plateau State University, who were abducted in Benue State while travelling to a conference in Enugu—Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s dedication to tackling the menace.

In a statement issued by Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP reiterated his pledge to secure the release of over 2,000 citizens who were held hostage in 2023, as well as those abducted in 2024 and previous years.

He urged Nigerians to take an active role in national security efforts, advocating for an inclusive policing strategy that encourages citizen participation and individual contributions to social and security reforms.

“The Inspector General of Police reaffirms the dedication of the Force, under his leadership, to establishing a police institution that is professionally competent, rule-of-law compliant, service-driven, and people-friendly,” the statement read.