In 2014, 276 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from their hostels in Chibok Secondary School, Borno State, Nigeria. This incident sparked global outrage, with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls emerging as a social justice campaign for the safe return of the young girls to their families. Till today, many of these girls are still unaccounted for, despite the government’s insistence that the deadly terror group Boko Haram has been defeated.
Insecurity in Nigeria has only worsened over time. Four years after the Chibok girls went missing, it was reported that 110 schoolgirls from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State were also kidnapped, again by Boko Haram, from their schools. Two years later, history is unfortunately, repeating itself, as over 300 boys have been reported missing from an all-boys Government Science School in Kankara, a town in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina state.
The tragic event occurred on the evening of Friday December 11, when gunmen on motorcycles stormed the school, engaging security personnel at the grounds in a fierce gun battle that forced hundreds of school students to flee and hide in the neighbouring forest. On Saturday morning, it was reported that over 600 of the school’s pupils were unaccounted for in the aftermath of the attack. Days later, thankfully many students have been found, but according to the Katsina Governor Aminu Masari, out of the school’s total number of 839 students, 333 of those young boys are still missing, feared kidnapped.
Parents of the missing children on Sunday took to the streets of Nigeria’s northwestern state to protest for the immediate recovery of their children. The protesting parents held placards conveying various messages, among which were ‘Government must speak out,’ ‘We want our children back’ and ‘We want security in Kankara.’ All state schools in Katsina were ordered to close shortly after the incident, and rescue missions are said to be underway to ensure the safe return of the students.
President Muhammudu Buhari, whose home state is in fact Katsina, expressed his shock at the tragic incident over the weekend, however, is yet to grant grieving and worried parents an audience despite his presence in Katsina State at the time of the kidnappings. In his place, President Buhari sent a delegation from Abuja to Katsina over the weekend to console with the state government and the people of the state over the attack. However, many Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, are responding with uproar at the continued insecurity in Northern Nigeria, especially children’s insecurity; the hashtag #BringBackOurBoys has begun to trend on social media, as Nigerians seek to bring global attention to the abductions.
Earlier today, terrorist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the abduction of the 333 schoolboys, a report by Arise News states. The Katsina government have also announced that negotiations have begun to ensure the return of the school children from the alleged abductors, whom they have yet to recognise at Boko Haram.
This is a developing story.
Featured image credits/Punch
.@tamimak_ is just trying to make it to the end of the year
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the...
The historic Fanti Carnival is set to make its grand return on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, bringing the streets of Lagos Island alive with colour, music, and culture. With roots dating back to 1890, the Lagos Fanti Carnival is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most vibrant cultural traditions, celebrating the deep ties between Nigeria and Brazil through a dynamic fusion of Afro-Brazilian heritage and modern creativity.
This year’s edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, in partnership with Robert Taylor Media and the Brazilian Descendants Association of Lagos. Together, they aim to honour the legacy of the Afro-Brazilian community in Lagos — descendants of formerly enslaved returnees who shaped the city’s culture, religion, and architecture.
The carnival procession will kick off at 12:00 PM, starting from Old Defence Road and will end at the JK Randle Centre, with accreditation beginning at 10:00 AM. Attendees can expect a stunning showcase of traditional costumes, Afro-Brazilian drumming, dance, and performances from local creatives reinterpreting heritage for a new generation.
Whether you’re drawn to the dazzling pageantry, the live performances, or the chance to connect with a rich cultural history, the Fanti Carnival is an unmissable event this Easter.
Tickets are now available, and more information can be found via the official Fanti Carnival website or their social platforms.
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of...
Dutch textile brand Vlisco recently unveiled its latest campaign ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood,’ as part of its women’s month celebration. The campaign, which looks to extend Vlisco’s rich legacy in African fashion and its ongoing celebration of creativity and cultural storytelling, takes inspiration from Congolese musical icon Fally Ipupa’s latest single, “Mayanga.” The song’s accompanyingmusic video was shot in the Ivory Coast, and seamlessly balances Ipupa’s signature soulful Rumba music with intricate floral motifs and soft, elegant colour palettes that celebrate the strength and individuality that blossoms through community.
In addition to Fally Ipupa, Vlisco also tapped up Ivorian fashion designer Loza Maléombho and Nigerian director Daniel Obasi to contribute to ‘The Garden Of Sisterhood’ campaign. Maléombho’s unique designs and Obasi’s striking storytelling helped contribute to actualising Vlisco’s distinct aesthetic and vision of merging heritage, creativity and fashion.
In a statement discussing the collaboration with Vlisco, the Congolese superstar described it as a beautiful experience. “They understood my vision of working with talented artists and honouring the beautiful women who wear Vlisco fabrics. By creating exclusive designs for me and the remarkable women in the cast, Vlisco really brought our artistic vision to life, harmoniously fusing music and fashion,” he said.
Similarly, Marlou van Engelen, the creative director of Vlisco, expressed that it was an honour working with Fally Ipupa. “His song ‘MAYANGA’ perfectly reflects our admiration for the women who shaped us, inspire us, and mean so much to us. For us, it’s not just about fashion; it’s about the stories told through our beautiful prints. And I believe the best stories are always told together,” she said in a statement.
Rigo Kamp’s Marathon video is an intimate Afro-juju revival that pays homage to Sir Shina Peters and stamps...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and...
Last Friday, Rigo Kamp, a NATIVE uNder alum and one of the architects of an equal parts nostalgic and refreshing sound released his self-titled debut EP, delivering a propulsive fusion of Alte, R&B, Funk, and Soul-infused rhythms.
Featuring previously released singles “Morning Sun”and “Summer”, the six-track eponymous EP executively produced by Odunsi The Engine sees Rigo lean heavily into his element as a sonic alchemist, jumping from silky falsettos to gritty grooves without losing an ounce of cohesion, and ultimately stamping the Abuja-born, Lagos-based singer-songwriter as a mad scientist of sound.
Just last November, Apple Music named Rigo Kamp as its Up Next artist, an acknowledgment that underscored his potential and confirmed what the tastemakers and underground scene already knew. Weeks later, he delivered an exhilarating live set for Spotify Fresh Finds in Lagos, proving he’s just as compelling live as he is in the studio.
On “Marathon”,the refreshing opener to the Rigo Kamp EP, Rigo borrows the bounce and swagger of Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters’ golden-era, fusing nostalgia with re-imagination to birth a vintage performance that feels like a private party for two, where it’s just Rigo, and you.
Get an exclusive first look at the video for Marathon here: