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A new report by Nigeria’s geopolitical intelligence platform, SBM Intelligence, says at least 1409 students have been abducted in Nigeria within the past 19 months.
In the report, the group broke down the figures of students who have been victims of abductions since March 2020.
Schools in Nigeria, particularly in the Northern states, have been targets of bandits and Boko Haram insurgents in recent years.
In the report, SBM Intelligence estimated that 1,409 students have suffered abductions since “the latest school abduction epidemic which started in March 2020.”
According to the report, Kastina State was the most affected state, with 440 victims; followed closely by Zamfara State, with 419 abductees. Niger, Kaduna, and Kebbi States also experienced 236;206;105 abductions respectively.
“In the 19 incidents up until the latest kidnap in Zamfara State, 17 teachers have also been kidnapped alongside their students, and at least ₦220 million has been paid out as ransoms. Unfortunately, 16 of the victims have died in these incidents,” it added.