Godsent Ogbebor
United States Pushes Nigeria to Act on School Abductions
The United States has called on the Nigerian government to take urgent action against those responsible for recent school abductions in Kebbi and Niger states, where dozens of students and teachers remain in captivity.
The call came as the Presidency confirmed that both countries will establish a joint working group to strengthen counterterrorism efforts and improve security cooperation.
The initiative will fast-track Nigeria’s requests for defence equipment and facilitate intelligence sharing to aid the rescue of abducted students.
In Niger State, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora released an updated list of missing persons from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri.
Meanwhile, of the 265 still in captivity, 239 are nursery and primary school children, while 12 are staff members and 14 are secondary school students. Fifty pupils have reportedly escaped since the abduction on November 21.
In Kebbi State, 25 students were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, on November 17, during an attack that also claimed the life of the vice principal, Hassan Makuku.
Amnesty International Nigeria warned that the surge in school abductions is threatening education across northern Nigeria.
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Isa Sanusi, the organisation’s country director, said the fear of attacks could prevent children from attending school, worsening the already high number of out-of-school children in the region.
The US, through its Bureau of African Affairs, condemned the kidnappings, calling for the swift capture of perpetrators and urging the Nigerian government to protect its citizens, particularly Christians, so they can live, learn, and worship without fear.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to civilian protection and stressed that coordinated steps are underway to secure the release of the abducted children.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria will continue to work closely with the US while correcting misconceptions about the security situation, emphasizing that violence affects all communities, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Meanwhile, the Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress expressed outrage at the attacks, describing them as “barbaric” and a direct threat to the nation’s future.
The labour body called on security agencies to intensify rescue operations and urged citizens to cooperate with authorities.
As the nation grapples with this wave of kidnappings, the safety of schoolchildren remains under serious threat, highlighting the urgent need for effective security measures to protect Nigeria’s most vulnerable.
