UN Condemns Abduction of Over 200 Students in Niger School
The United Nations has strongly condemned Friday’s abduction of hundreds of students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described the incident as a “heartbreaking situation,” emphasising that “schools must be a safe place to learn.”
He noted that the abduction closely follows a similar attack in Kebbi State.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that 215 students and 12 teachers were seized by gunmen from the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
Dujarric said, “We have witnessed yet another abduction of pupils in Niger State, in that country (Nigeria), just days after the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi.
“We join our colleagues at UNICEF and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator’s office, Mohamed Malick Fall, in expressing our deep sympathy to the families and communities affected. Every effort must now focus on ensuring the children’s safe and immediate return.”
The UN Spokesperson stressed that repeated attacks on schools highlight the urgent need to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, which sets out measures to protect the civilian nature of educational institutions during conflicts.
On Monday, armed men abducted at least 25 students and killed a teacher at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi.
The Federal Government on Friday announced the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges.
The Federal Ministry of Education, in a circular, explained that the move was in response to recent security challenges in parts of the country and aimed at preventing further incidents.
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