On March 2, 2025, unknown gunmen kidnapped four Federal University Dutsin-Ma students from their private hostel behind the campus.

On March 4, it was announced on the social media platform X that one student had been rescued; at the time of this report it is not clear if the other three were found.

The 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://dailypost.ng/2025/03/02/gunmen-kidnap-4-students-in-katsina/
https://dailypost.ng/2025/03/02/suspected-bandits-abduct-four-from-paris-quarters-in-katsina/
https://punchng.com/abducted-katsina-student-freed-three-others-remain-missing/
https://www.katsinamirror.ng/2025/03/25/kidnapped-fudma-student-found-dead-in-nearby-bush/
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/gunmen-abduct-4-students-near-katsina-varsity/