Nigerian military blames Boko Haram for school abductions in south

The Nigerian military has officially attributed the abduction of dozens of students and teachers in Oyo State, southern Nigeria, to fighters from Boko Haram.

In a statement released on Thursday, a military spokesperson confirmed that the armed group responsible for the attacks is the Jama’at Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Da’awah wa al-Jihad (JAS)—commonly referred to as Boko Haram. The statement explained that these militants had shifted their operations southward after facing heavy resistance from intensified military campaigns in the country’s northern regions.

The violent incidents occurred last Friday in the towns of Yawota and Esiele, where heavily armed assailants stormed multiple schools. Reports on the number of abducted vary: the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) estimates 39 children and seven teachers were taken, while Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde reports 25 students and seven instructors were kidnapped. Securing the safe return of the victims, aged between 2 and 16 years, remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies.

School kidnappings have become disturbingly commonplace in northern Nigeria, but such incidents are rare in Oyo State, where the capital, Ibadan, serves as a major educational hub for the nation.

In response to rising insecurity, the Nigerian military, with assistance from American forces, has significantly escalated counter-terrorism operations in the north. Authorities believe this increased pressure has pushed some insurgents to relocate toward southern territories.

Recent joint airstrikes conducted in the northeast—a historical stronghold of Boko Haram—are reported to have resulted in the deaths of 175 jihadist fighters, according to military sources.

Over the past several months, armed groups have escalated their attacks, targeting both civilian populations and security personnel. Data from security monitoring firm SBM Intelligence indicates that 306 Nigerian soldiers lost their lives during the first three months of the year.