Why did poor internet connectivity exacerbate the school kidnapping crisis in Nigeria?
Schoolchildren kidnapped in Uyo, Nigeria
Written by: Ayman Ragab
The shockwaves still linger over the village of Essenele in the Urir district of Nigeria’s Oyo state, days after an armed attack targeted three schools and left dozens abducted, amid accusations from local residents of a lack of basic services and a weak communications network, which hampered the speed of calling for help and the arrival of assistance.
At LA Primary School, the date May 15, 2026 is still written on the fifth-grade blackboard, alongside math, Yoruba language and communication lessons, as if time had stopped the moment the gunmen stormed the village.
kidnapping of students
Gunmen on motorcycles attacked the communities of Yauta and Essinel, kidnapping students and teachers from LA Elementary School, Community High School, and Baptist Church Elementary School, as well as a number of other residents of the area.
According to residents, the kidnapping included young children, some as young as two years old, in one of the most shocking attacks in the region in recent times.
Ea Kusara, a mother of two girls, said she was preparing food for her children on the morning of the attack when she saw men in military uniforms passing through the village, unaware that they were preparing to carry out the kidnapping.
She added that her youngest daughter was captured by the gunmen while at the Baptist Church Elementary School, while her older sister escaped by chance.
Poor telecommunications and internet services
Local residents confirmed that poor communications and internet services in the area contributed to the delay in the distress call, noting that communities located in the middle of the forests have been suffering for years from the absence of basic government services.
Damilari Amosa, a resident of Yauta, said the area lacks infrastructure and social services, adding that residents feel left without government protection or support, despite the recurring security threats in the rural areas surrounding the forests.
