Bukola Afeni
Save the Children has called on the government to take urgent and decisive action to secure the release of abducted students and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The appeal follows yet another school attack in northern Nigeria, where armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, in the early hours of Friday.
The group is demanding enhanced security around schools in high-risk areas through early-warning systems, community-based protection, and rapid-response mechanisms.
“Strengthen implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools and the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.
“Invest in long-term solutions addressing root causes such as poverty, youth unemployment, and weak governance,” the statement read in part.
According to early reports, students and staff were abducted during the attack, with an estimated 52 pupils feared kidnapped. Authorities are still working to confirm the exact number.
This tragedy comes just days after 25 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. Save the Children says the repeated attacks reflect a disturbing escalation of insecurity across northern Nigeria.
Save the Children’s Country Director in Nigeria, Duncan Harvey, expressed deep concern:
“It is hard to imagine what parents are going through as they pray for their children’s safe return. No parent should endure this pain. No child should face terror simply for wanting an education.”
The organisation noted that armed groups in Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara States often exploit shared logistical routes along the Kuyambana–Kamuku forest axis, fueling a growing wave of coordinated kidnappings. In addition to the two recent high-profile school abductions, several other kidnapping incidents have been recorded this month across the three states.
While commending the swift deployment of police tactical units, military personnel, and other security operatives, Save the Children urged the government to intensify ongoing rescue efforts and adopt long-term security strategies to protect schools.
Save the Children says today’s events must serve as a wake-up call.
“The time to act is now. Schools must be safe places for learning; no child should risk their life to learn,” the organisation said.
