The United States has strongly condemned the recent kidnappings of students and teachers in Niger State, as well as the earlier abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
In a statement on Monday via its X account, the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs described the attacks as unacceptable crimes that must not go unpunished, urging the Nigerian government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The statement also called on authorities to strengthen security and protect vulnerable communities, particularly Christians.
It said, “The United States condemns the mass abduction of reportedly more than 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, and the kidnapping, just days prior, of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. Those responsible must be swiftly apprehended, and the Nigerian government must do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear.”
According to reports, gunmen attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, on November 17, killing vice principal Hassan Makuku and abducting at least 24 female students.
Four days later, on November 21, armed attackers raided St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers.
While initial figures varied, the Christian Association of Nigeria later confirmed the numbers through a census of missing persons. About 50 students managed to escape and return safely to their families.
The recent incidents highlight a worrying rise in school-targeted violence in Nigeria, reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok kidnapping of 276 girls by Boko Haram.
In response, the federal government launched rescue operations across multiple states. President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to move to Kebbi State to coordinate security efforts for the abducted schoolgirls.
Authorities in Niger, Katsina, Plateau, and Bauchi states have also ordered the temporary closure of schools to prevent further attacks.
