Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the latest mass abduction of students in Niger State, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a national state of emergency on insecurity as terrorist attacks escalate across the country.
In a reaction posted Friday on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Atiku described the abduction at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, as yet another devastating blow to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
“Not again. This is truly heartbreaking,” he wrote, questioning, “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”
He urged the Federal Government to act with urgency, stressing, “It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the urgency it deserves.”
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of school attacks in northern Nigeria. According to officials, armed terrorists stormed St. Mary’s School in the early hours of Friday, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers. While the exact figure remains unconfirmed, local officials and community members report that more than a dozen children were taken, with some sources alleging the number could exceed 100.
Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, confirmed the attack, as did Bello Gidi, media aide to the Agwara LGA chairman. Gidi told SaharaReporters:
“Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School… The information reaching us is that they have kidnapped over 100 students and teachers. Also, the school is a mixed school with boys and girls.”
This latest attack comes just five days after terrorists invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, abducting about 25 female students and killing at least one staff member. A school guard was also injured in the dawn raid, during which the attackers reportedly fired sporadically while students were preparing for morning routines.
The wave of violence extends beyond schools. On Sunday night, terrorists launched another assault on Rogun Village in Kpada District of Patigi Local Government Area, Kwara State, killing two security operatives in a gunfight after ambushing a police outpost.
As communities across Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara reel from consecutive attacks, pressure continues to mount on the Federal Government to respond decisively. Atiku’s call for a nationwide security emergency reflects growing public frustration and fear as armed groups escalate their operations with little sign of retreat.
Security agencies have yet to release an official tally of abducted students from the Papiri attack, but rescue efforts are reportedly underway.