Nation on Edge as Search Continues for 327 Abducted Schoolchildren -

Parents, teachers, and school proprietors across the country have expressed deep concern over the rising cases of school abductions and the uncertain fate of the 327 pupils kidnapped in Kebbi and Niger states.

They warn that at the current rate of attacks, no one can predict which school may be targeted next.

In recent days, schools across northern Nigeria have suffered repeated assaults.

On Monday, gunmen kidnapped 26 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. Although two students later escaped, 24 remain in captivity.

On Friday, initial reports indicated that 215 pupils and 12 teachers had been abducted from a school in Niger State. However, after a review of the missing persons list, the number rose to 303.

Despite assurances from security agencies and state governments about ongoing rescue operations, the whereabouts of the abducted children remain unknown.

The Chairman of the National Proprietors of Private Schools, Otubela Abayomi, revealed that the association’s National Executive Committee would meet on Sunday to discuss the matter.

Speaking with Sunday, he described the wave of abductions as a major setback to national development and the country’s future.

“It is deeply troubling. We are also in contact with our local chairperson in the affected area for firsthand updates beyond media reports,” he said.

Abayomi described the situation as painful and distressing.

“It appears there is no end to the kidnapping of schoolchildren and staff. This is not healthy for national development because these children are the future of this country, yet they are being denied access to education, while those not yet attacked live in constant fear,” he lamented.

He added that the association was worried, even if none of their schools had been directly attacked.

“We are concerned. One person’s problem is everyone’s problem. We are meeting with our National Executive Committee tomorrow (Sunday),” he said.

Similarly, the President of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, said the situation was frightening.

He noted that the government had directed the closure of 45 schools and urged the Federal Government to ensure that the abducted children were safely rescued.

“It seems the bandits planned ahead to outsmart security agencies. This situation is unbearable for parents. We do not want another Chibok experience,” he said.

Tinubu Vows Tough Action

Addressing the worsening insecurity, President Bola Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace, especially in northern Nigeria.

Speaking through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum in Kaduna, Tinubu described the situation as one of the gravest tests in Nigeria’s history.

He vowed that no part of the country would be left to “bleed in silence.”

Tinubu acknowledged that the region had suffered decades of dysfunction but urged northern leaders to take responsibility for rebuilding trust and strengthening social cohesion.

He noted that without peace and communal harmony, insecurity would persist, economic decline would deepen, and educational setbacks would worsen.

The President also expressed hope for economic progress in the region, citing the Kolmani oil project and other major infrastructure initiatives.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who also spoke at the event, said northern Nigeria could overcome its security challenges through unity and joint action.

Children Screamed as Attackers Stormed Catholic School – Principal

Fresh details have emerged about the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.

In a video obtained on Sunday, the school principal, Rev. Sr. Felicia Gyang, recounted how the attackers breached multiple gates while children cried in terror.

According to her, the incident occurred shortly after midnight.

“We heard motorcycles, cars, and loud banging on different gates. When we peeped outside, we saw the attackers and heard the children crying,” she said.

Because of the confusion, they were unable to locate some of the gate keys and had to escape through alternative exits.

She said they tried in vain to reach nearby security formations, including the Divisional Police Officer.

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed the attack in a statement signed by its secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Joseph. The statement revealed that the gunmen operated between 1am and 3am, shooting a security guard and moving unchallenged through the school dormitories.

The diocese dismissed claims that the school ignored warnings to shut down.

It explained that after security threats in 2021, the school closed for five months and later hired special local security personnel.

The diocese described the incident as traumatic, especially because many of the abducted children were very young.

Kidnappers Yet to Contact Parents — CAN Chairman

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, said no group had contacted parents or school authorities four days after the abductions.

Parents and school officials, he said, were devastated and in no emotional state to speak publicly about the situation.

More States Shut Schools

Following the abductions, Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa states announced new safety measures.

The Niger State Government ordered the closure of all public and private schools, including missionary institutions, Islamic schools, and federal unity colleges.

Governor Mohammed Bago said only tertiary institutions in non-vulnerable areas would remain open.

Three tertiary institutions in Kebbi State — Kebbi State Polytechnic, Dakingari; Kebbi State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Jega; and Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero — also directed students to vacate their campuses.

In Adamawa State, the government ordered all boarding schools, both public and private, to operate temporarily as day schools to prevent similar incidents.

Recently, Kwara, Plateau, Katsina, Taraba, and Niger states have all taken similar actions in response to rising insecurity.

The Federal Ministry of Education, however, clarified that it did not issue any directive for a nationwide school closure.

Opposition, Experts Demand New Strategy

Opposition leaders and security experts called on President Tinubu to implement deeper reforms, arguing that merely replacing service chiefs was not enough.

The Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, said defeating terrorism required sincerity and genuine commitment.

Young Progressives Party spokesman Wale Egbeola-Martins said insecurity persisted because of longstanding foundational problems.

Security expert Kabir Adams attributed the surge in school attacks to the proliferation of armed groups and the poor implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative despite heavy budget allocations.

He identified three major weaknesses enabling school attacks: