Ofure Akhigbe
The United Nations has condemned the abduction of hundreds of pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State on Friday.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the attack as “heartbreaking,” stressing that “schools must be safe places for learning.”
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, gunmen seized 215 students and 12 teachers during the early-morning raid on the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
“This is 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 at the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
Dujarric said the UN joins UNICEF and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, in expressing deep sympathy to the affected families and communities.
“Every effort must now focus on ensuring the children’s safe and immediate return,” he added.
He noted that the repeated attacks underscore the urgent need to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines measures to protect educational institutions and guarantee access to learning during conflict.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered the temporary closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges.
According to a circular issued on Friday by the Federal Ministry of Education and cited by the News Agency of Nigeria, the move follows recent security challenges and aims to prevent further breaches.