Nigerian military authorities have confirmed that armed assailants responsible for kidnapping dozens of students and teachers in southern Nigeria’s Oyo State belong to Boko Haram. In an official statement, a military spokesperson identified the attackers as members of Jama’at Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Da’awah wa al-Jihad, the group widely known as Boko Haram.
According to the military, the attackers infiltrated the Yawota and Esiele communities late last week, storming multiple educational institutions. The operation, which involved heavily armed militants, prompted a rapid response from security forces. However, the assailants managed to evade capture and reportedly relocated southward after being repelled in intensified military campaigns in the north.
Divergent accounts have emerged regarding the scale of the abductions. The Christian Association of Nigeria reported 39 children and seven teachers were kidnapped, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stated that 25 students and seven educators were taken. The victims range in age from two to 16 years old, and authorities continue their search to locate them.
School kidnappings have become alarmingly common in northern Nigeria, particularly in Boko Haram’s historical strongholds. However, such incidents remain rare in Oyo State, where the capital, Ibadan, serves as a major educational hub for the nation. The sudden shift in militant activity has raised concerns among local communities and security analysts alike.
In response to the escalating violence, Nigerian security forces, with assistance from international partners, have escalated offensive operations against jihadist factions in the north. These military actions have reportedly forced some militants to relocate toward southern regions, including Oyo State. Recent airstrikes in the northeast, a longstanding Boko Haram stronghold, have resulted in the reported deaths of 175 fighters, according to military officials.
Over recent months, armed groups have escalated attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel. Reports indicate that 306 Nigerian soldiers were killed in the first quarter of the year alone, underscoring the growing threat posed by insurgent violence across the region.