Two Weeks On, Niger School Abduction Leaves 265 Students Missing Amid Nationwide School Security Measures
By HALIMA TAKWAS
Two Weeks After Niger School Abduction, Students Still Missing as States Tighten School Security
TWO weeks after the mass abduction of students and staff from St. Mary Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, parents and school officials say they are yet to hear from the kidnappers, heightening fears for the safety of the 265 children and staff still in captivity.
The attack, which occurred on 21 November, initially saw 315 individuals abducted by suspected bandits. Fifty of the children managed to escape shortly after, but the majority remain under the control of the assailants. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, which owns the school, confirmed the ongoing absence of communication from the kidnappers.
Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora Diocese expressed cautious hope, citing assurances from a federal government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu that the abducted children are safe and would be rescued soon. Parents, like Dimas Joseph Mauhuta, whose son Julius was among those abducted, are relying on these assurances but remain anxious.
“The government should act and come to our aid. We are relying on the assurance of the National Security Adviser; it has given us hope,” Mauhuta said.
Rev. Sister Blessing Amodu, headteacher of St. Mary Catholic School, urged continued intervention from authorities and the public: “All I am pleading for at this moment is for the government and all concerned to help us find ways to rescue these children and staff and bring them back safely.”
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that operations are ongoing but did not provide further updates on the abductors’ whereabouts.
Schools Remain Closed Across Multiple States
In the wake of escalating kidnappings, several states have kept schools closed to protect students. Kebbi State’s schools, both public and private, remain shut with no official reopening date announced, although unconfirmed reports suggest resumption in January to allow students to complete first-term examinations.
Bauchi State plans to reopen schools after the Christmas holidays, with the Education Commissioner, Dr. Lawal Rimin-Zayam, explaining that the period will also be used for renovations and enhanced security measures under the Safe Schools Initiative, including fencing of schools. He encouraged students to continue learning via the Nigeria e-learning platform during the closure.
Similarly, Kwara State has activated heightened security in schools. Federal Government College (FGC) Ilorin and 46 other Unity Colleges nationwide were directed to close on 21 November. Kwara State University temporarily relocated staff and students from its Ilesha-Baruba campus to the main Malete campus as a precautionary measure, coinciding with the 13th convocation ceremony.
The Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development in Kwara, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, stated that enhanced security measures are particularly focused on schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero local government areas, including boarding schools that could be vulnerable to kidnappers. The state will maintain these measures until security conditions allow for a safe resumption of school activities.
As Niger State families wait anxiously for news, the coordinated closures and security adjustments across multiple states highlight the growing impact of school kidnappings on Nigeria’s education system and the urgent need for sustained government intervention.
