Residents of Kuriga in northern Nigeria say they are too frightened to speak openly after more than 280 schoolchildren were kidnapped from their community last week. The attack has left the village tense and largely silent, with families overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty as they wait for updates.
The abduction happened when armed men on motorcycles surrounded the government primary and secondary schools during morning classes. Witnesses say the gunmen forced students and several staff members to march into the nearby forest. The operation lasted long enough that residents watched in fear but felt powerless to intervene.
Since the attack, Kuriga has become unusually quiet. Villagers say they worry that speaking out could draw retaliation from the same gangs responsible for the kidnapping. Many homes remain shut, and some families have avoided public places out of concern for their safety.
Parents of missing children are growing increasingly desperate. Some say they are torn between wanting to speak to investigators and fearing that any attention might endanger their children further. A few families have not even filed formal reports, believing the armed groups monitor the community closely.
Local officials have confirmed the number of abducted students but have provided little information about rescue or negotiation efforts. Authorities say they are working to track the kidnappers, but residents claim they feel abandoned and unprotected.
The mass kidnapping has drawn widespread condemnation across Nigeria, highlighting the ongoing security crisis in Kaduna state and other northern regions. Rights groups and community leaders are calling for stronger action against the armed gangs responsible for repeated assaults on schools and villages.
For now, Kuriga remains gripped by fear, with parents praying for the safe return of their children and hoping that the silence in the village will soon be broken by good news.
