LATEST: In southern Nigeria, 46 people kidnapped, mainly children, in school attacks
International Briefing:
The following report highlights an important international development currently attracting worldwide attention.
Forty-six people, mainly children, were kidnapped in Nigeria during the attack on three schools on Friday May 15 in the south of the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. Armed men simultaneously attacked the Yawota Baptist nursery and primary school and two other establishments in Esiele, all located in Oyo State, on Friday. The police spoke of a “coordinated attack”, without specifying the number of victims. Nigeria is facing violence emanating from jihadist groups and criminal gangs, locally called “bandits”, who carry out kidnappings for ransom in rural regions, especially in the north and center of the country. Kidnappings from schools are rare in Oyo State (South), one of the most populous in Nigeria and whose capital, Ibadan, is an important educational center in the country. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Nigeria appeals to its foreign partners, including France, in the face of a degraded security situation Read later “Barbaric” murder “Forty-six people, mainly students”, were kidnapped, Reverend Elisha Olukayode Ogundiya, president of the CAN in Oyo State, explained to AFP, specifying that the children are aged “from 2 to 16 years”. The reverend said he had no information on the identity of the attackers or a possible ransom demand. On Sunday, Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde told a press conference that seven teachers were among those kidnapped and that a Quranic studies teacher was killed during the attack. According to him, the attackers belong to armed groups who are fleeing their stronghold in the northwest of the country, where they are under intense pressure from the Nigerian armed forces. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu condemned these kidnappings and the “barbaric” murder of the teacher in a statement released Monday afternoon, and assured that the Inspector General of Police was personally leading the rescue operation. State of emergency Faced with an increase in attacks by bandits and jihadists in the northern half of Nigeria in recent months, Abuja declared a state of security emergency in the country and the president ordered the intensification of the fight against armed groups. At the end of 2025, American President Donald Trump claimed that Christians in Nigeria were “persecuted” and victims of a “genocide” perpetrated by “terrorists”, which Abuja and the majority of experts firmly deny, the violence generally affecting Christians and Muslims indifferently. Stay informed Follow us on WhatsApp Receive most of the African news on WhatsApp with the “Le Monde Afrique” channel Join “Le Monde Afrique” Newsletter Every Saturday, find a week of news and debates, from the editorial staff of “Le Monde Afrique” Subscribe The American army, in coordination with the Nigerian authorities, carried out strikes on Christmas Day in the state of Sokoto (North-West) targeting, according to Washington, jihadists of the State group Islamic. Washington has since deployed around 200 troops to Nigeria to support and train local armed forces. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In the north-east of Nigeria, the army accused of blunders during aerial bombardments Read later Le Monde with AFP
What Happens Next:
Experts suggest the long-term impact of these developments may become clearer as more information emerges.
Observers believe further developments could significantly shape the direction of this story in the near future.
Readers are encouraged to monitor future developments as the situation evolves.
Source: This article was originally published by International : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr. and adapted for our international English-speaking audience.
Read the original article here.