On June 3, 2026, unidentified gunmen abducted seven university students from their off-campus hostel in Zamfara state.

The armed individuals stormed the student accommodation early in the morning, raiding the residence before taking the students to an unknown location. Security forces arrived at the scene soon after the abduction, but the gunmen had already fled. One student managed to escape and rescue efforts were ongoing as of this report.

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:
https://www.canligaste.com/nijerya-da-duzenlenen-silahli-saldirida-7-universite-ogrencisi-kacirildi/857227/
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/gunmen-abduct-seven-students-northwest-nigeria-police-say-2026-06-04/