Nigeria's president has announced the rescue of all 24 schoolgirls abducted from a school in northwestern Nigeria,a development that, while celebrated, highlights the ongoing nightmare of mass abductions plaguing the region. This announcement comes just a week after the alarming incident, which has ignited public outcry and fear over the safety of students.

On November 17, a total of 25 girls were snatched from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state’s Maga town. Miraculously, one girl escaped the clutches of her captors on the same day, but the fate of the remaining girls has been a source of anxiety. Thankfully, they were later rescued, although President Bola Tinubu has been vague about the specifics of the operation,fueling skepticism about the government’s ability to protect its citizens.

In his statement, President Tinubu expressed relief over the girls' safe return, claiming, “I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for.” 

The abduction of the girls is just one part of a distressing pattern of mass kidnappings that have rocked Nigeria. Just days earlier, an attack on Saint Mary’s School in north-central Niger state saw over 300 students and staff abducted, illustrating the widespread chaos that seems to have taken hold of the education system. 

Musa Rabi Magaji, the principal of the Kebbi school, confirmed the girls were released but remained in custody for "safety and assessment." However, there has been no immediate information released regarding their physical or emotional wellbeing,leaving families and the public in the dark about the true impact of such trauma.

One father, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose daughters were among those kidnapped, expressed intense relief at the news of their freedom. “I am excited to receive the news of their freedom; the past few days have been difficult for me and my family,” he told reporters. 

Meanwhile, in a separate but equally alarming incident, police reported that 10 individuals were abducted in Kwara state on the same day as the girls’ rescue. This occurred in Isapa, a village still reeling from a previous attack that saw 38 worshippers kidnapped. 

While no group has claimed responsibility for these abductions, analysts are quick to point fingers at gangs of bandits who prey on schools and vulnerable communities for ransom. These criminals exploit the government’s absence in rural areas, effectively turning kidnapping into a lucrative business model.

It’s worth noting that many of these bandits are said to be former herders who have resorted to violence against farming communities, showcasing a dangerous shift in societal dynamics caused by resource scarcity.

Kidnappings have become a grim symbol of the broader security crisis in Nigeria, which is Africa’s most populous nation. Armed gangs target educational institutions, using these shocking acts to draw attention and instill fear. Since the notorious Chibok kidnapping over a decade ago, at least 1,500 students have been taken, with many released only after ransoms are negotiated,pointing to a cycle of violence that the government seems ill-equipped to break.

International attention has focused on these kidnappings, especially with U.S. President Donald Trump calling out the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. However, it's vital to recognize that these abductions indiscriminately affect both Christian and Muslim communities, underscoring the pervasive nature of this crisis.