Written by: Boubacar Sani, our correspondent from Nigeria
Nigeria is facing a new wave of insecurity, with escalating military operations in the northeast coinciding with mass kidnappings in the southwest, revealing the worsening security challenges in the country.
US-Nigerian airstrikes kill militants and abduct 46 people
In a counter-terrorism operation, Nigerian forces, in conjunction with the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), conducted coordinated airstrikes targeting suspected Islamic State fighters in the northeast on Sunday.
Military authorities said the strikes targeted key gathering points linked to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to the Nigerian Defence Force, more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP members were killed during the operation, which was part of ongoing efforts to weaken militant networks active in the region.
The army added: “Several airstrikes were carried out, resulting in the elimination of more than 20 ISIS/ISWAP fighters,” stressing that intelligence confirmed that the targets were armed elements, and that no losses were incurred among friendly forces.
Security officials noted that this operation comes after previous operations that resulted in the killing of a prominent leader in the Islamic State organization, reflecting the increasing pressure on jihadist groups despite years of conflict in the northeast.
In contrast, fears have escalated in southwestern Nigeria following coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo state, which resulted in the abduction of 46 people, most of them children.
The Christian Association of Nigeria said the victims, aged between two and 16, were abducted during simultaneous attacks on three schools by heavily armed gunmen. Those abducted included pupils, students, school staff, and a deputy headmaster.
Police officials described the attacks as meticulously planned operations targeting educational institutions, causing panic among residents and leading to the temporary closure of schools before they were cautiously reopened.
Nigeria continues to face increasing pressure from jihadist insurgent groups in the northeast, and from local armed gangs known as “bandits,” who frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom in rural areas and schools.
These developments underscore growing concerns about the strain on the country's security forces, as violence spreads to several areas simultaneously.
