Katsina State in northwest Nigeria is notorious for banditry and kidnapping activities
A recent study by Oxford Policy Management has uncovered alarming impacts of insecurity on education in Katsina State, with approximately 330 students abducted and 52 schools closed in Batsari, Faskari, and Kankara Local Government Areas (LGAs) between 2020 and 2025.
The findings were presented by Hadiza Tijani, a consultant with Oxford Policy Management, during a dissemination workshop in Katsina on Tuesday, supported by UNICEF and the Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
Tijani reported, “In Kankara alone, over 300 students were abducted, while 14 teachers were kidnapped and five killed across Faskari and Kankara.”
The study, which also examined Zamfara and Niger states, noted that two students were killed and 15 school staff abducted in the three Katsina LGAs.
Additionally, “37.7% of teachers feel unsafe while teaching, and 79.7% of students struggle to concentrate due to noise and trauma,” Tijani added, highlighting a significant decline in attendance, particularly in Batsari (50%), Faskari (45.5%), and Kankara (39.1%).
The report underscored the severe impact of banditry, with 96.1% of respondents in rural and border communities reporting attacks and 97.7% citing kidnappings.
“Between 2020 and 2025, 71 insecurity incidents were recorded, disrupting education, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” Tijani stated.
To cope, 84.4% of respondents in Kankara supported the use of temporary learning centers.
The study proposed solutions such as bolstering school security through infrastructure upgrades, early warning systems, and emergency training, alongside promoting alternative education delivery via local teacher recruitment, community-based learning spaces, and radio teaching.
Tijani emphasized, “Improving teacher welfare, learner well-being, and supporting livelihood recovery through economic development are critical to addressing this crisis.”
Michael Banda, Officer-in-Charge at UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, remarked, “Education is a right and the foundation for peace and sustainable development, yet schools are closing, and communities are left vulnerable.” He stressed that the study offers insights to drive practical solutions. Meanwhile, Katsina’s Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Zainab Musawa, noted a decline in banditry but lamented, “Some schools remain closed due to fear of kidnapping, with students relocated to safer environments.”
