Mass school kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years

Mass school kidnappings in Nigeria have seen 36 children and one staff member go missing after being kidnapped by gunmen from a school in Nigeria's northeast, marking the third such mass school abduction since May in Africa's most populous country.

Additional incidents include gunmen abducting students sitting exams in Borno state on June 29, 2026, with authorities stating eight had been rescued. In May 2026, armed men kidnapped at least 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oyo state, killing one teacher and wounding security personnel during a rescue attempt, with the children and teachers remaining in captivity. Also in May 2026, suspected militants abducted 42 students from a primary and junior secondary school in Borno, who remain missing. In November 2025, gunmen took 12 staff members from a Catholic school in Niger State, who regained their freedom after a month. In Kebbi state, also in November 2025, gunmen killed the vice principal and took 25 students, who were later released. In March 2024, gunmen seized more than in Kaduna state, with the government denying paying a ransom. In July 2021, about were kidnapped from a Baptist school in Kaduna state and released in batches after ransom payments. In May 2021, gunmen abducted from an Islamic school in Niger state, where six pupils died, 15 escaped, and the rest were released after three months. In February 2021, at least 279 girls were kidnapped by gunmen from a government school in Zamfara state and released after a few days, during which they were beaten.