November 22, (THEWILL) — The United Nations has strongly condemned Friday’s abduction of hundreds of schoolchildren and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, describing the growing trend of school attacks in Nigeria as “heartbreaking”.
UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, in a briefing at the UN headquarters, said the global body was deeply alarmed by the incident, insisting that “schools must be a safe place to learn”.
Dujarric noted that the attack in Niger, coming just days after the abduction of students in Kebbi State, shows a disturbing escalation in targeted assaults on educational institutions.
“We have witnessed yet another abduction of pupils in Niger State, in that country (Nigeria), just days after the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi”, he said.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), no fewer than 215 students and 12 teachers were seized by gunmen during the early morning attack on the Catholic-run schools.
In Kebbi, armed men had, on Monday, abducted at least 25 students and killed a teacher during an attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu LGA.
Dujarric said the UN was closely monitoring the situation and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and affected communities.
“We join our colleagues at UNICEF and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s office, Mohamed Malick Fall, in expressing our deep sympathy to the families and communities affected. Every effort must now focus on ensuring the children’s safe and immediate return”, he said.
Dujarric stressed that the repeated attacks on schools underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, an international commitment outlining measures to protect schools, students and teachers in conflict situations.
Meanwhile, following the latest abductions, the Federal Government has announced the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
The Ministry of Education, in a circular issued on Friday, said the step became necessary in view of the recent security challenges across parts of the country and the determination to forestall further attacks on schools.
The government said it was working closely with security agencies to strengthen surveillance and ensure the safety of learners and school personnel.
The mass abductions in Niger and Kebbi have reignited national concern over the worsening insecurity confronting Nigeria’s education system, with growing calls for urgent, coordinated action to protect students across the country.
On Friday, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) described the development as disturbing and unacceptable, stressing that schools must remain safe spaces for learning and not targets for criminal activity. The Forum noted that northern Nigeria cannot afford further setbacks in its efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and reintegrate them into classrooms.
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