On October 26, 2024, an unidentified armed group abducted a Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsuakka campus.

Two days later on October 28, the police reported that the lecturer escaped during a police raid on the armed groups’ camp.

This incident appears to fit a pattern of attacks and kidnappings targeting schools and universities in Nigeria. Sources have frequently described groups of “bandits” kidnapping students and staff in pursuit of ransom.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the abduction of higher education students. State authorities should take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of scholars, students, and staff, including by investigating and holding perpetrators of such acts responsible, in line with international human rights standards. In addition to the harm to the immediate victim, kidnappings that target members of the higher education community undermine the conditions needed for the meaningful exercise of the right to education and academic freedom.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/750364-kidnapped-nigerian-professor-escapes-from-captivity.html
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/749921-gunmen-kidnap-nigerian-university-professor.html
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/10/unn-lecturer-regains-freedom-as-police-foil-another-kidnapping-attempt-in-enugu/
https://thestreetjournal.org/kidnappers-abduct-unn-lecturer-in-enugu/