25 schoolgirls abducted after gunmen attack high school in Nigeria
CBS1 day
25 Nigerian Schoolgirls Kidnapped in Kebbi State Attack
Above: One of the parents of the abducted students of Bethel Baptist High School, on July 14, 2021. Image credit: Kola Sulaimon/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Nigeria’s resolute response to the Kebbi kidnapping shows a government acting with clear focus and discipline. The Army Chief’s order for nonstop operations reflects a security system fully committed to bringing the girls home. Expanded deployments, sharper intelligence work and stronger regional ties reveal a state pushing its capacities with intent — a government actively confronting armed bands and terrorist networks rather than yielding ground.
Government-critical narrative
The Kebbi kidnapping underscores a relentless pattern of state collapse as mass abductions intensify ahead of the 2027 elections. Since 2014, more than 1,680 pupils have been abducted, many later being forced into marriage, trafficked across borders, or returning with babies after ransom deals. These cycles reveal a security system that issues grand promises but fails to deliver either deterrence or accountability, leaving entire communities vulnerable to criminal governance.
Metaculus Prediction
Editor's Note
This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.1
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.1