"Our Children are not Safe": Vulnerability of Secondary School Students to School Attacks and Mass Abduction in Katsina State, Nigeria.

School attack and mass abduction of students have become serious concerns in Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated the abduction risk vulnerability of secondary schools in Katsina State, Nigeria. The research was exploratory as it involved the use of qualitative methods to obtain data from community leaders, community members, principals and teachers of selected secondary schools, as well as state and local government officials. The Routine Activity Theory provided the theoretical anchor for the study. The results revealed that schools in Katsina State are very vulnerable to attacks and abductions by bandits. Lack of physical barriers, in the form of perimeter fences, and inadequate number of security operative were identified as responsible for such vulnerability. School attacks were also considered very severe. While noting the benefits of current government efforts, all the stakeholders agreed that more still need to be done to ensure school safety in Katsina State.