The Federal Government and some northern states have ordered a shutdown of academic activities in some schools over rising insecurity and abduction of pupils.

While the Federal Government closed 41 unity schools, governors of Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Katsina also shut down schools in their states.

Tension escalated on Friday after bandits attacked St Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, abducting 215 students and 12 teachers.

This was only four days after 26 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi.

During that Monday attack, the terrorists shot dead the school’s Vice Principal, Hasan Makuku, and left the principal with a gunshot wound.

Two of the abducted girls later managed to escape, one returning late on Monday and the other fleeing moments after the attack.

President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to Kebbi State and coordinate efforts to rescue the girls.

While Nigerians were still reeling from the kidnap of the Kebbi schoolgirls, gunmen again struck the Niger Catholic school around 2am on Friday.

A source in the school, who confirmed the incident to Saturday PUNCH, said the bandits stormed the school while the boarding students were asleep.

The source noted that the attack lasted for one hour before the gunmen eventually whisked the victims away to unknown destinations.

The terrorists reportedly stormed the school on over 100 motorcycles.

The Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the  Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, in a statement signed by his media aide, Daniel Atori, on Friday, said 215 pupils and 12 teachers were abducted.

The statement read, “I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely.

“From our records, 215 pupils and students and 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists.

“It is worthy to note that, during the terrorist attack, some students escaped and parents have started coming to pick up their children who were not kidnapped as the school has to be shut down.

“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful and I also want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers,” the chairman, who is also the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said.

Confirming the attack, the Niger State Police Command said a combined team of police and military operatives had been deployed in Papiri to rescue the victims.

In a statement, the state police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the actual number of kidnapped victims could not be ascertained as operatives were still gathering facts on the incident.

He, however, noted that the school would face sanctions for operating against the directive of the state government, which had ordered the closure of schools in the area over bandit attacks.

FG, states close schools

Findings by Saturday PUNCH showed that academic activities had been grounded in parts of the North as communities grappled with escalating attacks.

The Federal Government on Friday ordered the closure of 41 unity schools over rising cases of abduction nationwide.

The decision was announced in a circular by the Director of Senior Secondary Education of the Federal Ministry of Education, Binta Abdulkadir.

The affected schools include FGGC Minjibir; FGA Suleja; FTC Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafanchan; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; FSC Sokoto; FTC Wurno; FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New‑Bussa; FTC Kuta‑Shiroro.

Others are FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu‑Aran; FTC Gwanara; FGC Ugwolawo; FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashau; FTC Michika; FGC Ganye; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Biliri; and FTC Zambuk.

Also, in a statement on Friday, the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said the government had ordered the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the Niger North Senatorial District as a precautionary measure.

Similarly, the Kwara State Government shut schools across four local government areas: Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun and Ekiti, amid rising insecurity in the affected communities.

The decision was announced by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in a statement signed by its chairman, Yusuf Agboola.

On Friday, the Plateau State Government announced the immediate closure of basic schools across the state due to security concerns.

The Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board, Richard Jonah, confirmed the development to Saturday PUNCH in Jos on Friday.

“You are aware of attacks in schools in some states. So, here in Plateau, the government is being proactive because we don’t want anything like that to happen here,” he stated.

Also, the Katsina State Government ordered the immediate closure of all public schools across the state following escalating security threats and banditry attacks reported in several communities.

The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, confirmed the directive on Friday while briefing journalists in Katsina.

Jibia said the measure became necessary to safeguard students and teachers as security agencies implement a new statewide school-safety strategy.

He noted that although students were currently writing examinations, protecting lives and property remained the top priority.

The commissioner described the shutdown as a temporary step that would remain in place pending a comprehensive security review of identified high-risk areas.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Benue State, Akuma Terna, said about 50 public schools had been shut down in the state.

Speaking to one of our correspondents on Friday, the NUT chairman said some of the affected schools had been shut down for the past two years.

According to him, pupils and students from the affected schools were in internally displaced persons camps located across the state.

“We have up to 50 primary and secondary schools that have been shut down, but I don’t have the names of the affected schools now.

“These were scattered across the state due to insecurity, if you go to Guma, Logo, Agatu, Gwer West and other local government areas.

Sokoto, Kebbi tighten security around schools

The governments of Sokoto and Kebbi states also pledged to strengthen security in all schools as students prepare for end-of-term examinations.

A senior Sokoto State Government official, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to address the press, said measures were already being rolled out to protect students and teachers.

“We have activated the necessary security arrangements across public schools in the state.”

“The government is working closely with security agencies to ensure students can learn and write their exams without fear,” the official said.

He added that the renewed attention followed recent security concerns in neighbouring states.

In Kebbi State, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, confirmed that Governor Nasir Idris had directed security agencies to increase surveillance around schools.

“The safety of our children is a top priority,” he said.

“We have put adequate security in place around schools, and our operatives are on alert to respond to any threat,” he said.

He noted that most schools in Kebbi State had only three to four weeks left before the end of the academic term.

“There is no reason for schools to shut down.”

“With the arrangements we have made, learning activities will continue smoothly until the term ends,” Idris said.

Over 42,000 schools endangered

Data from the National Financing Plan for Safe Schools revealed that more than 42,000 primary and secondary schools across northern Nigeria were without perimeter fencing, leaving them vulnerable to security breaches.

The National Safe Schools Financing Plan was developed to guide government investment in strengthening school security infrastructure, improving emergency preparedness, and reducing risks to students and teachers.

The plan, which covers the period from 2023 to 2026, revealed that 4,270 secondary schools in 21 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory were unfenced.

Bauchi has the highest number of unfenced secondary schools with 574, followed by Benue with 447, Kano with 500, Adamawa with 379, and Jigawa with 269.

Other states with significant numbers include Kogi (296), Kebbi (203), Kaduna (164), Plateau (159), Gombe (161), and Katsina (145).

The FCT has 77, while Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kwara, Taraba, Niger, Borno, Yobe, and Zamfara collectively account for several hundred more.

The situation is more severe at the primary school level, where 38,684 schools across the region lack perimeter fencing.

Kano leads with 4,171 unfenced primary schools, followed by Benue (2,279), Bauchi (2,703), Katsina (2,533), Niger (3,056), Jigawa (2,146), and Plateau (2,230).

Other states, such as Kogi, Sokoto, Taraba, Gombe, Kebbi, Kwara, and Nasarawa, also record more than 1,000 unfenced primary schools each.

Matawalle relocates to Kebbi, meets security chiefs

Upon arrival on Friday, the Defence minister moved straight into a closed-door meeting with top security chiefs in the state, including senior Army officers, police commanders, and heads of other security agencies.

The meeting, held at a strategic security facility in Birnin Kebbi, aimed to review intelligence, strengthen coordination, and accelerate the search-and-rescue operations already underway.

Although Matawalle did not address journalists before entering the meeting venue, security officials familiar with the agenda said the session would focus on tightening operational plans and closing identified gaps.

A senior security officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said, “The minister’s arrival means operations are entering a more aggressive phase. The directive from Abuja is clear: everything must be done to get those girls back safely. This meeting is about aligning all agencies and removing any bottlenecks.”

Northern govs demand swift action

The Northern States Governors’ Forum expressed distress over the Niger school abduction, describing it as a disturbing and unacceptable affront to the safety of children.

The Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, in a press statement, reiterated that schools must remain centres of learning.

The NSGF warned that northern Nigeria could not afford further setbacks in its push to mop up out-of-school children and return them to the classroom.

“As a forum, we have consistently maintained that schools must remain sanctuaries of learning and growth, not theatres of fear, violence, or terror. Northern Nigeria already contends with significant challenges and educational setbacks, and we cannot allow criminal elements to derail our collective efforts at returning out-of-school children to the classroom.

“The forum is deeply worried and saddened by this ugly trend, especially at a time when governments across the North are investing heavily in creating safe, conducive, and resilient learning environments,” the statement partly read.

According to him, governors cannot fold their arms and watch criminal elements undermine their efforts and instill fear in young learners and the region in general.

“The rising trend of attacks on schools is worrisome and saddening. As governors, we will continue to work closely with the security agencies and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance community vigilance, and reinforce the protection of our schools,” he added.

Catholic school operated against directive — Niger govt

But the Niger State Government said it received news of the attack with sadness, blaming the school management for operating against an existing directive that ordered the closure of schools in the senatorial zone due to bandit attacks.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the government said a prior intelligence report had indicated an increased threat level in parts of the senatorial district.

Usman stressed that in response to the security alerts, the state government issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s school proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk,” the statement read.

“Security agencies have since commenced a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.”

It added that the state government was engaging all relevant security formations and would provide updates on the kidnap incident in due course.

Kebbi parents hope for a miracle

In the meantime, some families of the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls have lamented the sorrow and pain they are grappling with since the incident happened.

Saturday PUNCH learnt that since the tragedy, residents of the community had been holding prayer sessions to seek divine intervention.

Special prayers were also held between Wednesday and Thursday in Zuru, the emirate town under which Maga is situated.

The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, said the entire community was devastated and had turned to supplications as authorities intensified rescue efforts.

“We have decided to gather on Friday for a special prayer for the safe return of our daughters. The whole community is traumatised, and we believe prayer is our strongest weapon at this moment,” he told our correspondent on Thursday.

Speaking separately with our correspondents, some parents described the last few days as a torment they never imagined possible.

For one affected parent, Mallam Usman, the trauma remains fresh.

“The incident came as a shock to me. It feels like I am dreaming that this never happened,” he said.

“I got the news inside the mosque after morning prayer. We quickly mobilised to the school, only for me to find out that my daughter had been taken away.

“I plead with the government and security agents to help us get our children out of the bush. This is the most horrible experience of my life, something I would never wish even on an enemy.”

Another distraught father, who identified himself simply as Maurusa from Maga, said the past three days had been unbearable, especially for his wife.

“We are just sitting here waiting for any information. My wife goes to the school area every day. Her blood pressure has gone up. If she hears any frightening news, she collapses,” he said.

He revealed that both his daughter and granddaughter were among the abducted children.

“My daughter’s name is Umu Kusua Bukalim, and they also took my granddaughter. We are just here, praying and waiting for news,” he added.

Despite the horror, many parents insisted that the attack would not deter them from educating their children.

“Education must continue. We still believe in education, Insha’Allah,” one of them affirmed.

‘My husband was shot in the chest’

Amid the anguish, the widow of a slain guard, Ali Shehu, who declined to give her name, recounted the last moments before her husband’s death.

She said they were asleep when she heard a strange noise around 4am.

“I tapped my husband to wake him up, telling him that maybe goats had entered the compound. He got up to check, only to see heavily armed men,” she said, her voice trembling.

According to her, they immediately began praying, but the gunmen opened fire without hesitation.

“They shot my husband straight in the chest. He fell immediately and blood started rushing out. When I tried to cover the hole to stop the blood, they cocked their guns and warned me to stop or they would kill me too,” she recounted.

In the chaos, their teenage daughter, known as Baby, ran out of the room.

“When they saw her, they seized her and dragged her towards the hostel. They asked her to lie down so they could shoot her. She begged them to allow her to urinate.

They let her go, thinking she would return. But she ran into the bush in the dead of the night. She wandered until daybreak before finding her way home.

“That is how she escaped,” the widow said, tears streaming down her face.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy and Communication, Abdullahi Idris, said the bandits had yet to establish contact with them or the families of the schoolgirls to demand ransom or disclose conditions for their release.

Gov fumes over military withdrawal

Speaking during a public engagement on Friday, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, faulted the military for withdrawing troops from the Maga school shortly before the gunmen attack.

The governor said he was “deeply troubled” that security personnel pulled out of the school despite prior intelligence alerts provided by the state government.

According to him, soldiers reportedly left the school around 3am, while the attackers struck less than 45 minutes later.

“We provided intelligence reports. We alerted them. So, who gave the order for troops to withdraw at that critical hour?” Idris said, calling for a full military investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The governor also noted that the action contradicted earlier assurances of enhanced protection for schools in vulnerable border communities frequently targeted by bandits.

Bandits killing for blood, not money — Northern CAN chairman

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Hayab, said the renewed wave of terror attacks across parts of the country was driven by a craving for blood rather than financial gain.

The reverend spoke in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, describing the rising attacks as deliberate provocations aimed at spreading terror rather than acquiring wealth.

He said, “A bandit that kills is not looking for money; he is looking for blood. Which money did they want from the general that they killed? Which money did they want from the church where they killed three people and carried others into the bush? Which money did they want from the poor parents of these girls?”

The cleric stressed that if bandits were truly after financial gain, they would target the wealthy or those who had stolen money, rather than innocent and poor communities.

“Why are they going after poor people, poor innocent young girls?” he asked.

According to him, the attacks are a challenge to the government to demonstrate its strength.

Tinubu must act fast — Lagos Archbishop

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, called for urgent measures to address the alarming rate of insecurity across the country.

Martins, in a statement by the Director of Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, decried the brazen audacity of attacks in the country.

He decried the abductions in Kebbi and Niger, the kidnapping of Catholic Priest Bobbo Paschal from St Stephen Catholic Church, Kushe Gudgu, Kaduna State, and the killing of the brother of another local priest, Gideon Markus.

He urged the government and security agencies to “act fast to regain the confidence and trust of the citizens.”

“It is a matter of great concern that there has been a spike in terrorist attacks across the country in recent times. It seems some elements are making deliberate efforts to throw this nation into chaos.

“If the terrorists can kill a serving Army General in such a brazen manner, I wonder how secure the average citizen of this country is. It truly shows that there are reasons for everyone to be concerned about their security,” Martins said.