A research conducted by Oxford Policy Management has revealed that from 2020 to 2025, about 330 students were abducted in Batsari, Faskari and Kankara Local Government Areas of Katsina.

Hadiza Tijani, a consultant with Oxford Policy Management, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday, while presenting the findings of their survey, at a dissemination workshop.

The survey was supported by UNICEF in collaboration with the state’s ministry of basic and secondary education.

The survey, which also revealed that two students were killed, was conducted on the impact of insecurity on access to education in Zamfara, Niger and Katsina States.

Ms Tijani added that the survey found that about 15 school staff across the three local government areas were abducted, while five other staff were killed.

“Other key findings from the respondents show that 37.7 per cent of teachers feel unsafe while teaching, and 79.7 per cent of students report difficulty concentrating due to noise and trauma.

“Also, 79.7 per cent of the students reported difficulty in concentration due to students’ noise or loud noises, while in Batsari, 50 per cent of teachers observed a significant attendance decline.

“This is followed by 45.5 per cent in Faskari and 39.1 per cent in Kankara,” according to the findings of the report presented by Ms Tijani.

She said that the rural and border communities have been most affected by the sharp increase in banditry over the last five years, as 96.1 per cent of the respondents have experienced banditry attacks.

According to her, 97.7 per cent of the respondents cited incidents of kidnapping across the three study local government areas, saying: “between 2020 and 2025, 71 insecurity incidents were recorded.

“In Kankara alone, over 300 students were abducted, while across Faskari and Kankara, 14 teachers were kidnapped and five were killed.

“Disruptions to education were most pronounced in rural and hard-to-reach areas of the state, with insecurity in surrounding communities frequently forcing schools to shut down, resulting in prolonged interruptions to learning activities.

“The use of temporary learning centres or hubs has gained notable support, particularly in Kankara LGA, where 84.4 per cent of respondents support this approach.”

According to her, key recommendations of the report to address the crisis include: strengthening school security through political advocacy, infrastructure upgrades, early warning systems, emergency training, and relocation of schools.

“And also to enhance alternative education delivery through local teacher recruitment, community-based learning spaces, and radio teaching.

“Other recommendations are to improve teacher welfare and learner well-being through better compensation, professional development, psychosocial support, and tailored support for vulnerable learners.

“Supporting livelihood recovery through economic development and social welfare for conflict-affected households is recommended,” she said.

In his welcome address, Michael Banda, officer-in-charge, UNICEF Kano Field Office, observed that education was not only the right of every child but also the foundation for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

He said: “Schools have been closed, teachers displaced, families forced to flee, and communities left vulnerable.

“The consequences are severe, rising numbers of out-of-school children, learning losses, trauma among learners, and weakened community confidence in the school system.

“This study, undertaken in collaboration with government and partners, provides evidence and insights into how insecurity is affecting education outcomes in the region.

“The workshop gives the participants the opportunity to reflect together on the findings, share perspectives, and identify practical solutions.”

In her remarks, the state commissioner for education, Zainab Musawa, revealed that in Katsina, banditry had significantly reduced over the past few years.

She, however, lamented that some schools have remained closed due to fear of kidnapping, with students moved to safer environments.

(NAN)