2 weeks ago
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Forty-six people, astir of them children, were kidnapped during an onslaught connected 3 schools successful southwest Nigeria past week, the Christian Association of Nigeria said connected Monday (May 18, 2026).
CAN president for Oyo state, Elisha Olukayode Ogundiya, told AFP that "46 persons, mostly children" aged from 2 to 16 were seized successful the attacks successful the southwestern authorities connected Friday (May 15).
Nigeria is battling a scourge of transgression gangs known arsenic bandits who kidnap for ransom and people agrarian areas. But astir attacks, including schoolhouse kidnappings, person mostly happened successful the northbound and centre of the country, wherever the struggle is astir prominent.
Gunmen simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary successful Yawota, and 2 different schools successful Esiele, successful what constabulary called a "coordinated attack".
The attackers seized "some pupils, students and unit members" from the schools, "including the vice principal," constabulary said successful a connection past week.
The onslaught forced Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board to bid the impermanent closure of surrounding schools connected Friday (May 15) to "prevent immoderate secondary incidents and to let information agencies to thoroughly stabilise the area". It was aboriginal said schools should reopen connected Monday (May 18).
