{"id":1798,"date":"2026-05-16T16:42:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T16:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1798"},"modified":"2026-05-16T16:42:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T16:42:00","slug":"gun-toting-lunatics-kidnap-50-children-from-schools-as-toddlers-used-as-human-shields","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1798","title":{"rendered":"Gun-toting lunatics kidnap 50 children from schools as toddlers &#8216;used as human shields&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e189fa\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Babies as young as two were used as human shields in the brutal kidnapping, as helpless parents watched on<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37165957\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Up to 50 children were taken\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165957.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165957.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165957.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165957.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Up to 50 children were taken\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Up to 50 children were taken<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/latest\/shooting\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Gunmen have kidnapped more than 50 children <!-- --><\/a>aged between two and five years old. The armed maniacs stormed <!-- --><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/sport\/football\/gunmen-shooting-football-ecuador-narcos-36587788\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">three schools in Nigeria and took the youngsters<\/a>, but police were not able to shoot at them as they used the kids as human shields while fleeing on motorbikes.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The armed abduction happened in <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/uk-tourists-issued-no-go-36954357\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Mussa, Borno state in north-eastern Nigeria<\/a> on Friday morning with most of the missing children said to be aged between two and five years old. They were taken from the town&#8217;s Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and State Universal Basis Education Board (SUBEB) Primary School.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Witnesses said parents watched helplessly from a nearby hill as the gunmen <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/guns\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"\/>fled with their children. At present, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack and government officials have yet to comment.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37165960\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37165960\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The children were used as human shields\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165960.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165960.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165960.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165960.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The children were used as human shields\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The children were used as human shields<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It has been reported locally that the attack is believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram &#8211; a group which has long been locked in a battle for control over the region with rival faction Islamic State West Africa Province.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nigeria is facing a surge in mass kidnappings carried out by various armed groups. Residents in Borno state are among those living under the shadow of continued violence, forcing some of them to leave their homes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Devastated families say they have no choice but to desperately wait for updates on their missing children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One father, who asked not to be identified over fears of retaliation, told the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c202vrxlwqgo\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">BBC<\/a> his wife had been left distraught after the gunmen abducted his six-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37165958\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37165958\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Children aged between 2 and 5 were taken\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Children aged between 2 and 5 were taken\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Children aged between 2 and 5 were taken<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Abdu Dunama, headmaster of Mussa Central Primary School, said he heard shots being fired before the armed men stormed the school and began rounding up children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Dunama said 34 children, mostly aged five and under, were snatched from their classrooms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Security forces and troops are continuing efforts to track the perpetrators, he added.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37165959\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37165959\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The children were taken on motorbikes\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_NIGERIA-CONFLICT-UNREST.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_NIGERIA-CONFLICT-UNREST.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_NIGERIA-CONFLICT-UNREST.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article37165959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_NIGERIA-CONFLICT-UNREST.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The children were taken on motorbikes\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The children were taken on motorbikes<cite aria-label=\"Image: AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Residents said some older students escaped into nearby bushes as the chaos unfolded. The gunmen had reportedly fired their weapons sporadically, forcing locals to run for cover.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The community has urgently called on the government to help bring the children home safely.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Babies as young as two were used as human shields in the brutal kidnapping, as&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg",1200,673,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-300x168.jpg",300,168,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-768x431.jpg",640,359,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-1024x574.jpg",640,359,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg",1200,673,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT.jpg",1200,673,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-1115x673.jpg",1115,673,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-1024x574.jpg",1024,574,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_NIGERIA-CHAD-CONFLICT-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?cat=7\" rel=\"category\">Stories<\/a>","tag_info":"Stories","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}