The United States government has strongly condemned the recent abductions of students and teachers in Niger and Kebbi states, calling for immediate action to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.
In a statement released on Monday through its X (formerly Twitter) handle, the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs described the attacks as unacceptable and urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
“The United States condemns the mass abduction of reportedly over 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, and the kidnapping, just days before, of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State,” the statement read.
It added, “Those responsible for these crimes must be swiftly captured and held accountable. The Nigerian government must act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
The condemnations follow two major attacks—first on November 17, when gunmen invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the vice principal, Hassan Makuku, and abducting at least 24 female students. Four days later, on November 21, armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, seizing 303 students and 12 teachers.
While earlier figures varied, the Christian Association of Nigeria later confirmed the numbers after conducting a census of missing persons. Fifty of the abducted students have reportedly escaped and reunited with their families.
The incidents have been widely compared to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, raising fresh concerns about the rise in targeted attacks on educational institutions across the country.
In response to the escalating security situation, the Federal Government has launched coordinated rescue operations. President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to oversee efforts to free the abducted schoolgirls.
Additionally, state governments in Niger, Katsina, Plateau and Bauchi have ordered the closure of multiple schools as a precaution to avert further attacks.
The US called for urgent and sustained action to safeguard schools and communities, emphasizing that such crimes must not go unpunished.
