Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in response to the worsening insecurity across the country.
In a statement released on Friday, Atiku condemned the abduction of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. He questioned how many more lives must be affected before the government takes decisive action.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to treat the escalating insecurity as a national emergency. According to him, declaring a state of emergency is necessary to confront the situation with the seriousness it demands.
The attack in Niger occurred after earlier warnings from the state government about increased security threats in the area. Despite directives to close all boarding schools, St. Mary’s reportedly reopened without approval. Security operatives have since launched rescue efforts.
Hours after the Niger incident, another group of schoolchildren was reportedly abducted from a secondary school in Rukubi, Nasarawa State, although police have not yet confirmed details. The incidents follow a recent attack in Kebbi State where 25 students were kidnapped, adding to growing concerns about repeated assaults on schools across northern Nigeria.
