The United Nations has condemned the abduction of hundreds of pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, calling for urgent action to protect learners across Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said “schools must be a safe place to learn,” describing the latest incident — which comes days after a similar attack in Kebbi — as a “heartbreaking situation.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 215 students and 12 teachers were taken by armed men during the early-morning raid. The attack is the second major school abduction reported this week.
“We have witnessed yet another abduction of pupils in Niger State, in that country (Nigeria), just days after the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi,” Dujarric said.
On Monday, gunmen abducted at least 25 students and killed a teacher at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
Dujarric said the UN stands with “our colleagues at UNICEF and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s office, Mohamed Malick Fall,” extending “deep sympathy to the families and communities affected.”
He added that “every effort must now focus on ensuring the children’s safe and immediate return,” stressing that the recurrence of such attacks underscores the need for full implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration — a framework designed to protect the civilian nature of educational institutions and ensure safe access to learning during conflict.
Following the latest abduction, the Federal Government announced the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the country. In a circular issued on Friday, the Federal Ministry of Education said the measure was taken in response to rising security threats and the need to prevent further breaches.
NAN
