Nigeria: Kidnappers release six students and two school officials in Kaduna State July 8 /update 1

Event

Kidnappers released six students and two school officials at an undisclosed location in Kaduna State July 8. A ransom was reportedly paid for the release of the victims, who were abducted from the Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic in Zaria, Kaduna State, the evening of June 9. Assailants attacked the university complex, killing one person and abducting eight others during the incident.

A heightened security presence will likely be maintained in Kaduna state over the near term due to the risk of additional kidnapping incidents targeting school students.

Context

Kidnapping poses a high threat in Nigeria for both locals and foreign nationals. Most kidnappings in Nigeria are financially motivated and conducted by criminal groups of varying levels of sophistication. More than 1000 students have been kidnapped in Nigeria since December 2020. It is currently unclear why federal government schools continue to be targeted; however, attacks on schools and the kidnapping of students in northern Nigeria occur with some regularity. In the past, militant groups, such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, have been involved in attacks on educational facilities in northern Nigeria. Kidnapping incidents involving large groups of students within Nigeria usually take some time to resolve. Victims of ideologically motivated kidnappings face a higher threat of death and may experience longer captivity times.

Advice

Exercise a high degree of vigilance due to the threat of kidnapping in Nigeria. Do not discuss plans and routes publicly. If operating in the area in the long term, vary routes and times of travel and ensure the use of secure transport.