Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity, following yet another mass abduction of schoolchildren—this time in Niger State.
Atiku, reacting to Friday’s attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, described the recurring kidnappings as a national tragedy that can no longer be met with routine responses.
“Not again. This is truly heartbreaking,” he wrote on X.
He continued:
“How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken? 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.”
According to initial reports, armed men stormed the Catholic-owned school between the early hours of 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., arriving on more than 60 motorcycles and a van before abducting a yet-to-be-confirmed number of students and staff.
The latest attack adds to a disturbing pattern of mass kidnappings targeting schools and communities across the country. It comes less than a week after 26 female students were seized from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State—a violent assault that claimed the life of Vice Principal Hassan Makuku, who attempted to resist the attackers.
Just days earlier, over 30 worshippers were kidnapped during a deadly attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where three people were killed.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had condemned the previous abductions, extending condolences to affected families and directing Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the victims. However, the escalation of violent raids has intensified public pressure on the government to adopt more forceful security measures.
Atiku’s latest call reflects a growing national concern that the country’s security architecture is overstretched, while communities—particularly schools—remain deeply vulnerable.