The United Nations has condemned the abduction of hundreds of school children and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, in a statement on Friday, described the latest attack as heartbreaking and insisted that schools must be a safe place to learn.
He noted that the incident, which occurred just days after another abduction in Kebbi State, underscores a troubling pattern of violence targeting educational institutions. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported that 215 students and 12 teachers were taken by gunmen during the attack.
“We have witnessed yet another abduction of pupils in Niger State, just days after the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi,” Dujarric said.
Armed men had on Monday abducted at least 25 students and killed one teacher during an attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
Dujarric said the UN stands with UNICEF and the office of the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, in expressing deep sympathy to the families and communities affected. He stressed that every effort must now focus on securing the children’s safe and immediate return.
He added that the repeated attacks highlight the urgent need to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete steps to preserve the civilian nature of educational institutions and ensure safe access to learning during conflict.
Following the abduction, the Federal Government has ordered the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges. According to a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on Friday, the decision was taken in response to rising security challenges and the need to prevent further incidents.
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