Parents , school administrators and educators across the nation have voiced concerns about the rising incidents of student abductions and th...
Parents, school administrators and educators across the nation have voiced concerns about the rising incidents of student abductions and the uncertain situation of the 327 children taken from Kebbi and Niger states.
They point out that, given the present pattern, it is unclear which educational establishment might be targeted next.
Numerous educational institutions in the northern region have experienced a series of assaults over the last few days.
On Monday, 26 female students were taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School located in Maga, Kebbi State. Two of them managed to flee, leaving 24 still held hostage.
On Friday, 215 students and 12 teachers were first reported missing in Niger, with the count of captured pupils rising to 303 following an assessment of the absent students.
Although security agencies and state governments express hope regarding the continuous rescue operations, the location of the kidnapped students is still unclear.
The head of the National Association of Private School Owners, Otubela Abayomi, stated that the group's National Executive Committee will convene to discuss the issue on Sunday.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Otubela characterized the wave of kidnappings as an obstacle to national progress and the nation's future.
"It is a serious issue for us. We are also contacting our local representative in that region to obtain direct information in addition to what is being reported by the media," he stated.
Abayomi referred to the current surge in abductions as "heartbreaking" and "disappointing."
"It appears that the abducting of children and employees in schools has no conclusion. This is not a positive sign for the nation's progress since those who should guide the country in the future are being deprived of proper education, and those who have not been targeted are currently filled with anxiety," he stated.
He stated, "We are in mourning. The fact that it hasn't impacted us personally or any of us directly doesn't imply that we aren't considering that one person's issue is everyone's concern. We are worried. I will be meeting with my team, the National Executive Committee, tomorrow (Sunday)."
Additionally, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, the President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, referred to the circumstances as alarming.
He stated, "We are aware that the government has also ordered the closure of approximately 45 schools. We urge the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of those who have been taken hostage, to rescue them, and to return them home. It seems the bandits had planned in advance to outwit our security forces. They must save our children because this situation is deeply concerning for parents. They need to bring our children back. We do not want a recurrence of the Chibok girls' abduction."
Tinubu talks tough
In response to growing instability throughout the nation, President Bola Tinubu stated on Saturday that he remains dedicated to "eradicate militant groups, destroy the structures of cattle rustlers, and bring back safety, particularly in the northern region of the country."
Delivered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, the President addressed the 25th anniversary gathering of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Kaduna.
Calling the situation "one of the most severe challenges in its history, characterized by a weakening of security, a breakdown of community values, and a twisting of the moral direction that previously united our communities," Tinubu pledged that "no part of Nigeria will be left to violence."
He emphasized that peace in the north was essential for the nation's economic development, stating that his government would not let any region "suffer in silence."
"Nobody in Nigeria will be left to face violence while this government turns its back. We will dismantle the structure of banditry, eradicate terrorist groups, and bring back the security that once characterized this area," he stated.
Tinubu recognized the long-standing issues the region has faced but emphasized that people from the north must play an active role in rebuilding trust and promoting social unity.
He stated, "The security crisis passed on to this administration is profound, complex, and advanced. Years of mismanagement have eroded social connections, yet there is still reason for optimism. Restoring confidence among different groups is essential. Without unity, insecurity will remain, economic growth will slow further, and educational gaps will grow larger. The north has not failed, but it risks failure if its leaders abandon their responsibility to look out for one another."
The leader also suggested a possible economic recovery in the area, mentioning the Kolmani oil project and other significant infrastructure developments.
At the gathering, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin stated his belief that the northern region could address its security issues through unity and collaborative efforts.
Children wept as militants attacked – Catholic school principal
In the meantime, additional information has come to light regarding the kidnapping of students and staff from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.
The school headmaster, Rev. Sr. Felicia Gyang, in a video clip dated November 21 and acquired bySunday PUNCH, recounted the attack.
As per Gyang, the assailants managed to penetrate several gates as kids cried for assistance.
The event, which took place during the early hours of the day, involved armed individuals arriving in significant numbers, utilizing motorcycles and cars to break into the school grounds.
Gyang mentioned that during the early hours, they were abruptly woken up by loud noises at various gates.
"The unfortunate event occurred after 12 o'clock when we heard noises, motorbikes, and the sound of vehicles. Before we realized what was happening, there were loud bangs on various gates in the compound. We got up and I called my other sisters so we could look out. When we peeked, we heard noise and children were crying," she said.
She observed that during the chaos, it was challenging to find the keys for specific gates, compelling her to leave through a different entrance.
"Apparently, while we were there trying to figure out what would happen with those who were safe at that time, we could hear the sound of the other bus," Gyang said.
She mentioned that while trying to attract some students, they also heard cries of distress coming from other areas of the premises.
Gyang mentioned that attempts to contact security personnel during the attack failed.
"So, we did our best to get that one out of reach. Eventually, we heard the security guard at the main gate rowing. We couldn't make out what he was saying, but after a while, we heard them leaving on bicycles. One of us was trying to call for assistance. We attempted to contact places where we might find help. We also tried reaching the Divisional Police Officer, but we couldn't get through," she said.
When questioned whether the school had been alerted by security agencies beforehand, Gyang responded, "No, we weren't informed."
She also refuted claims that the school had been instructed to close due to safety issues.
Additionally, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, in a statement signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Joseph, verified that the incident occurred between 1am and 3am.
The statement revealed that the robbers bypassed multiple security checkpoints, fired upon and harmed a security officer, and traversed the school's dormitory areas without encountering any opposition.
The church also refuted certain online reports, asserting that all the sisters remained on the school premises during the incident, and the principal did not go to Abuja as mentioned.
The account provided by survivors indicated that the assailants acted with intense intensity for almost three hours, moving between rooms before gathering the kidnapped individuals into vans and motorcycles.
The diocese highlighted that the school had previously implemented preventive steps to ensure student safety before the incident occurred.
Following security concerns in May 2021, the administration shut down the school for five months and subsequently hired specialized local security personnel from Kwara State to protect students, pupils, and staff.
The statement mentioned that the information spreading about us not following warnings to close the boarding facilities, or disregarding any previous notice before the event, is incorrect.
The diocese mentioned that the event caused emotional distress within the Papiri community, especially considering the young ages of several affected individuals.
Kidnappers have not yet reached out to the parents - CAN chair
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Chairman of the Niger State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, stated that the abductors of the 303 students and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools had not yet reached out to the families of the victims.
"No, no such contact," he stated when questioned regarding ransom requests.
He mentioned that parents and school staff were "traumatised," pointing out that the principal was "devastated" and the rural community was not emotionally ready to talk.
"I am not a member of the security force... that is now the government's responsibility," he stated when questioned about the rescue efforts.
More states closed, deboard schools
In the meantime, states such as Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa have introduced new actions regarding the kidnappings.
The authorities in Niger State mandated the shutdown of all public and private educational institutions within the region.
Governor Mohammed Bago, via his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, stated that the choice was made following a security conference.
"All missionary, Islamic institutions, and Federal Government Colleges, such as FGC Minna, have also been closed indefinitely," he stated.
He explained that higher education institutions were excluded "except for those located in the specified high-risk regions within the Northern and Eastern Senatorial Districts."
Bago called on security agencies, civil society organizations, labor groups, and religious leaders to collaborate in order to secure the release of the kidnapped students.
He further stated, 'The main objective is to determine how the abducted children and other victims of kidnapping will be recovered.'
In response to a previous statement from the state government, the administration of three key higher education institutions in Kebbi has declared an immediate shutdown.
The institutions impacted are Kebbi State Polytechnic, Dakingari; Kebbi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Jega; and Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero.
Each of the three organizations issued individual announcements on Saturday, instructing students to leave their campuses immediately.
They expressed regret to students and employees for the disturbance, emphasizing that the preventive actions were implemented to safeguard lives and avoid possible security threats.
In Adamawa State, authorities instructed all residential schools, both public and private, to temporarily function as day schools.
The order, outlined in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education and Human Development, Dr Umar Pella, stated that the action was intended to avoid a recurrence of the school kidnappings reported in Niger and Kebbi states.
Recently, states including Kwara, Plateau, Katsina, and Niger have also closed schools due to increasing security concerns, while the Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, has directed the closure of all educational institutions.
The Federal Ministry of Education, nevertheless, stated that it had not issued any order for schools to close across the country on November 24, 2025.
Opponents, specialists call for a different approach
Opposition parties and security specialists called on Tinubu to move past merely changing service leaders and implement more comprehensive structural changes to tackle the issue of insecurity.
The Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, stated that Tinubu needs to show "genuine intent" to combat terrorism.
"To overcome terrorism, you need true dedication. The answer isn't found in repeatedly changing leadership... What Nigeria requires is real commitment, not superficial actions," she stated via her media advisor, Ken Asogwa.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Young Progressives Party, Wale Egbeola-Martins, stated that underlying issues, rather than changes in staff, are maintaining the state of instability.
"The issues are complex and extend beyond merely replacing the service chiefs. These problems are fundamental," he stated, calling for a national discussion akin to the pre-independence constitutional meetings.
A security specialist and Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adams, stated that the increase in attacks on vulnerable locations is connected to the spread of armed organizations.
He stated, "These objectives have minimal defense. The malicious actors are approximately 80."
Adams attributed the repeated school attacks to policy shortcomings, including the inadequate execution of the Safe Schools Initiative despite significant financial investments.
He identified three key elements that facilitated the attacks: mass events held in open areas, inadequate public safety instruction, and the inability to stop ransom payments.
He stated, "All these 80 groups are militarized... They travel without restriction, usually on motorcycles. As a nation, we have failed to limit their mobility."
He praised the military but emphasized that other security agencies should face consequences. He also called on Tinubu to organize a national security summit to examine and reform the whole security system.
Another security specialist, Jackson Ojo, stated that the political elite should cease its "unnecessary demonstration of affluence," contending that deep-rooted decay, rather than solely military leaders, is jeopardizing security.
"Replacing the security leaders doesn't mean a complete transformation. If the system is corrupt, nothing will function properly," he stated.
He attributed some of the insecurity to poverty and the growing divide between political leaders and regular Nigerians.
He stated that the political elite needs to alter their way of living and cease their authoritarian manner of existence.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).
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