The United Nations has condemned the abduction on Friday of hundreds of pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the attack as “heartbreaking” and emphasised that “schools must be safe places for learning.”
This incident closely follows a similar abduction in Kebbi State.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, gunmen seized 215 students and 12 teachers from the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
“We have witnessed yet another abduction of pupils in Niger State, just days after the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi,” Dujarric said.
On Monday, armed men abducted at least 25 students and killed a teacher during an attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
“We join UNICEF and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, in expressing deep sympathy to the families and communities affected.
“Every effort must now focus on ensuring the children’s safe and immediate return,” Dujarric added.
He stressed that these repeated attacks underline the urgent need to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete measures to protect schools and universities and guarantee students’ access to education during conflict.
Following the abduction, the News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Federal Government has announced the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges.
The Federal Ministry of Education said in a circular on Friday that this decision responds to recent security challenges and aims to prevent further breaches.
