A series of militant attacks on schools across Nigeria over the past week has left more than 80 children missing.
Armed groups raided a primary school in the northeastern state of Borno, abducting 42 children from the vulnerable Chibok area.
According to Amnesty International, the attack took place near Sambisa Forest, a known stronghold for regional militant groups.
In a rare development, militants also attacked two secondary schools in the southwestern state of Oyo within hours of each other on Friday.
Local authorities said at least 40 more children were abducted during the coordinated attacks in Oyo state.
The growing threat of kidnappings is forcing many frightened families to withdraw their children from school.
Some parents are also arranging early marriages for underage girls in an attempt to protect them from abductions.
Residents in Oyo helped security forces identify and detain three armed suspects linked to the school attacks.
Mass kidnappings from schools have become a defining feature of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Analysts say armed groups target schools because large-scale abductions attract international attention and can be used to demand ransom payments.
Human rights organisations have criticised the Nigerian government for failing to properly investigate repeated attacks and prosecute those responsible.
