Gunmen Attack Kebbi Boarding School, Kill Vice-Principal and Abduct Female Students

Kebbi State, Nigeria , A group of armed men launched a violent attack on a government boarding secondary school in Kebbi State, killing a vice-principal and abducting several female students, according to security sources familiar with the incident.

The attackers reportedly stormed the school premises late in the evening, overwhelming security personnel before gaining access to the girls’ dormitory area. The exact number of abducted students remains unconfirmed as authorities continue combing nearby forests.

The attack marks a renewed wave of school-related violence in northwestern Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about the vulnerability of educational institutions and the effectiveness of ongoing security operations.

A Region Under Repeated Threat

Kebbi State has experienced multiple kidnapping-related incidents in recent months. Earlier reports indicated that police successfully rescued kidnap victims in operations across the region, underscoring both the scale of the threat and the sustained pressure by security agencies.

In July, officers even intercepted 35 victims being transported into Kebbi, suggesting the state is increasingly becoming a corridor for armed groups trafficking hostages across northern borders.

Security analysts note that the persistence of these attacks raises questions about intelligence coordination, perimeter security around schools, and state-level emergency preparedness.

Government Response Still Emerging

Local authorities have yet to release a full statement, though police sources claim search efforts are underway in nearby bush paths known to serve as escape routes for bandits.

Parents and community members who rushed to the scene expressed shock and frustration, with many demanding stronger protection for schools , especially public institutions that lack fortified security.

Civil society organizations are also calling for transparency in the government’s response, arguing that communities deserve timely and accurate information regarding rescue efforts.

A Broader Security and Accountability Crisis

The attack comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly concerned about governance, rising insecurity, and the safety of schoolchildren , particularly in the northern states.

Security experts warn that the repeated targeting of schools is not only a criminal act but a direct assault on the country’s future.

Education advocates insist that more coordinated action is urgently required:

Improved school security infrastructure

Better intelligence gathering

Rapid-response mechanisms

Public accountability from state and federal authorities

As families await news of their children, the nation is once again confronted with a painful question: How long will students continue to pay the price for Nigeria’s unresolved security collapse?

Reportcard Africa will continue monitoring this developing story.