A total of 1,954 students have been kidnapped in 20 separate school abduction incidents across Nigeria since 2014, according to data compiled by Premium Times.

The figures indicate that the majority of the incidents occurred during the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, highlighting the persistent challenge of insecurity in educational institutions across the country.

The report shows that 1,127 students were abducted in 10 incidents recorded during Buhari’s administration. Some of the most notable cases included the kidnapping of 317 students from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State, in 2021, 300 students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, and 130 students from Tanko Salihu Islamic School in Tegina, Niger State.

Other incidents under Buhari’s tenure included the abduction of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School in Chikun, Kaduna State, 110 students from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State and 120 students from the Federal Government College in Kebbi State.

According to the data, President Tinubu’s administration has recorded nine school abduction incidents involving 551 students. Among the affected institutions were Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, where 315 pupils were reportedly kidnapped.

Other schools affected during the current administration include LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, where 137 students were abducted, Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State, and several other educational institutions across the country.

The report also recorded a major school kidnapping incident during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, when 276 students were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014.

School abductions have remained one of Nigeria’s most troubling security challenges over the past decade, with attacks on educational institutions prompting temporary school closures, heightened security measures and calls for stronger government action to protect students and staff.

Security experts and civil society groups have repeatedly urged federal and state authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security around schools and fully implement the Safe Schools Initiative to curb attacks on educational institutions nationwide.