The Federal Government, alongside several northern state governments, has ordered the temporary closure of schools due to rising insecurity and the recent mass abduction of students.

The Federal Government shut down 41 unity schools, while governors of Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Katsina also suspended academic activities in affected areas.

The latest attack occurred on Friday when armed bandits stormed St Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, abducting 215 students and 12 teachers. This tragedy came just four days after 26 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.

During the Papiri attack, the school’s Vice Principal, Hasan Makuku, was shot dead, and the principal sustained gunshot injuries. Two abducted girls managed to escape, one later on Monday and another immediately after the attack.

President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday instructed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State and coordinate rescue efforts for the kidnapped girls.

The bandits reportedly arrived on over 100 motorcycles and attacked while boarding students were asleep, taking the victims to unknown locations.

The Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, confirmed the abduction and assured parents that authorities were working with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the children.

The Niger State Police Command has deployed combined police and military teams to Papiri to rescue the abducted students and staff. A spokesperson noted that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the exact number of victims.

Across northern Nigeria, over 42,000 primary and secondary schools lack perimeter fencing, making them vulnerable to such attacks, according to the National Safe Schools Financing Plan. The plan highlights 4,270 unfenced secondary schools in 21 northern states and the FCT, with Bauchi having the highest number at 574, followed by Kano (500), Benue (447), Adamawa (379), and Jigawa (269).

State governments have intensified security around schools. In Sokoto and Kebbi, authorities are implementing measures to ensure students’ safety as examinations approach. The Sokoto State Government confirmed that security arrangements had been activated across public schools, while Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris assured that protective measures were in place to safeguard students and staff.

Northern governors have expressed deep concern over the spate of attacks and pledged to work with security agencies to prevent further abductions, emphasizing that schools must remain safe spaces for learning.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government blamed St Mary’s School for reopening against prior directives that ordered school closures in the senatorial district, which exposed students and staff to grave danger. Investigations and rescue operations are ongoing.

Parents of the kidnapped children have turned to prayers and community support, seeking divine intervention for the safe return of their daughters. Local leaders in Maga have organized special prayer sessions and continue to coordinate with authorities for the rescue efforts.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy and Communication, Abdullahi Idris, said the bandits have yet to contact families or demand ransom. Meanwhile, the Kebbi Governor criticized the military for withdrawing troops shortly before the attack, calling for a full investigation into the circumstances.

Religious leaders have condemned the attacks, highlighting the brazen nature of the abductions and killings. The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, called on the government to act swiftly to restore public confidence and prevent further attacks.

“Such attacks, including the kidnapping in Kebbi and Niger and the killing of priests, demonstrate the urgent need for heightened security measures. Citizens deserve protection, and the government must respond decisively,” Martins stated.