Crystal Dike
A United Kingdom–registered educational charity, IA-Foundation, has urged the Federal Government to take decisive action to protect pupils and secure the release of abducted schoolchildren, warning that the rising wave of school kidnappings could further depress attendance rates nationwide.
In a statement on Saturday, the Founder of IA-Foundation, Ibironke Adeagbo, condemned the abduction of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State, carried out in the early hours of Friday.
She described the attack—coming barely a week after more than 20 schoolgirls were seized in Maga, Kebbi State—as part of a “wave of violence against schoolchildren.”
“It is a devastating blow to Nigeria’s education system and a direct assault on the rights, safety, and future of our children,” Adeagbo said. “No child should ever face the threat of abduction while pursuing their education. Such repeated attacks are unacceptable, and Nigeria must not tolerate this blatant disregard for human life and the sanctity of learning environments.”
Adeagbo called on federal and state authorities to strengthen security architecture across schools, particularly in vulnerable areas. She urged improved intelligence gathering, early-warning mechanisms, rapid-response operations, and stronger inter-agency collaboration to combat banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping-for-ransom.
She also advocated community-based safety initiatives to protect learners and teachers, warning that continued attacks would undermine national development and deepen Nigeria’s out-of-school crisis.
“Education is a fundamental right. When schools become targets, the entire nation suffers. Nigeria must act decisively to protect its children and secure the future of education,” she added.
The Niger abduction occurred just four days after 26 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.