Nigeria: Boko Haram attacks school in Yobe state Feb. 19

Event

Militants from the al-Barnawi faction of Boko Haram attacked the Government Girls Science and Technical Secondary School in Dapchi (Yobe state) on the night of Monday, February 19. Boko Haram fighters stormed the school, but many of the students and teachers were able to flee the area. As of Wednesday, February 21, at least 50 students are still missing from the attack; security forces are continuing to search for those unaccounted for, with a number of girls having been found in nearby villages. According to local sources, around 30 students were reportedly abducted by the Boko Haram fighters. Government officials have not confirmed any kidnappings and there are numerous conflicting reports regarding the number of students still missing. Details are still emerging.

Context

The northeastern region of Nigeria is highly susceptible to attacks by Boko Haram, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) in March 2015 and formally adopted the name of Islamic State in West Africa. While Nigerian military forces advanced against Boko Haram insurgents last year and pushed them out of much of their previously claimed territory, attacks by the insurgent group have again been on the rise since June 2017.

Advice

The security environment in Nigeria is complex and particularly poor in the northeast and extreme south of the country due to the presence of armed groups, high crime rates, and the risk of kidnapping. Some Western governments consequently advise against travel to certain areas of the northeast (e.g. states of Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Jigawa as well as parts of Kano and Adamawa states) and the southern Niger Delta region (e.g. states of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers). Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel to these areas.