…Decries Tinubu Govt’s Failure On Security
By: Sunday Ameh
Amnesty International has condemned the abduction of more than 52 schoolgirls from St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, describing it as further evidence of the Nigerian government’s failure to protect citizens from violent armed groups.
The incident occurred between 2am and 3am on Friday when gunmen stormed the school hostel and abducted an unconfirmed number of students. The attack came just three days after over 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from GGCSS Maga in Kebbi State.
In a statement on Friday, Amnesty International said the latest mass abduction highlights the authorities’ “persistent failure to protect people from attacks by armed groups that have continually killed and abducted thousands of Nigerians in the last ten years.”
The organisation added that “whatever security measures put in place by the government of President Bola Tinubu are not working.”
The head of Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the attack earlier in the day. The media aide to the Agwara Local Government chairman, Bello Gidi, also confirmed that both students and teachers were taken during the raid.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command said tactical units, military personnel and other security agencies have been deployed for a coordinated search-and-rescue operation.
“Report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA, and abducted a yet-to-be ascertained number of students,” the police said.
The Niger State Government disclosed that it had previously ordered the suspension of boarding school activities in the northern part of the state due to heightened security threats. However, St. Mary’s Private School had resumed boarding activities without official approval.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed the abduction, adding that a security guard was “badly shot” during the attack.
As rescue efforts intensify, Amnesty International has reiterated its call for stronger, more effective security strategies to end the recurring cycle of school abductions across northern Nigeria.
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