Can school kidnappings in Nigeria be stopped?
Governor insists no ransom was paid saying so-called ‘repentant bandits’ helped to secure their release.
Nigeria’s government is hailing the safe return of the latest group of kidnapped schoolchildren.
Gunman released 279 girls who were taken from their school in northwestern Zamfara state on Friday.
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‘Overwhelming joy’: Kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls released
Why are schoolchildren increasingly being kidnapped in Nigeria?
The governor insists no ransom was paid, saying so-called “repentant bandits” helped to secure their release. However, abductions in northern Nigeria are becoming more common and lucrative.
A security firm based in Lagos says kidnappers have received at least $11m between 2016 and March 2020.
Can anything be done to break the cycle?
Presenter: Rob Matheson
Guests:
Mike Ejioform – former director of Nigeria’s State Security Service
Aliyu Musa – independent researcher in conflict studies
Bulama Bukarti – analyst, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
Published On 2 Mar 2021