Niger students abduction sparks outrage as parents protest government inaction, calling for immediate rescue of abducted pupils and teachers.
Parents of abducted children from St. Mary Catholic School in Niger State have intensified calls for urgent government action following the shocking students abduction.
Over 300 pupils and 12 teachers were kidnapped on November 21 in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, leaving families devastated and communities in fear.
More than 200 distressed parents gathered at the school premises on Saturday to formally register the names of their missing children, expressing frustration over what they described as the government’s inaction.
Placards with messages such as “Bring Back Our Girls”, “Is Education a Crime?”, and
“Our Children Deserve Safety” captured the outrage and desperation of families still waiting for news of the captives.
The abduction occurred when armed bandits stormed St. Mary Catholic School, taking students from both junior and senior classes.
About 50 pupils escaped after two days, but the majority remain in captivity, prompting fears for their safety and urgent appeals for rescue.
The school’s Director of Communication, Rev. Fr. Stephen Okafor, explained that the government mandated the registration of affected parents and guardians.
“With this registration, we hope to stop misinformation and provide security agencies with accurate data,” he said, noting that some parents travelled up to four hours to participate.
Fr. Linus Arege confirmed that 215 parents and guardians have already registered since the exercise began, which is supervised by representatives from both Agwara Local Government and the diocese.
The formal registration is expected to support faster rescue efforts and ensure no child remains unaccounted for.
Several parents criticized claims that the abduction did not occur. Joseph Dimas, whose son Julius (JSS2) is among those missing, said,
“These children were taken. The government must act immediately rather than deny the facts.”
Mr. Emmanuel Ejeh, whose son Mathias was also abducted, described the incident as shocking since his older children attended the same school without incident.
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, expressed hope that the registration would help speed up the rescue.
“It has been eight days since the abduction. We are still prayerful and hopeful for the safe return of all students and teachers,” he said, highlighting that the school serves over 50 surrounding communities.
Principal Rev. Sister Felicia Gyam dismissed claims of prior warnings.
“There was no notice, circular, or verbal alert. Anyone claiming otherwise must provide proof,” she said.
Headmistress Blessing Amodu, visibly emotional, appealed to the government and all concerned authorities for help.
“I am devastated. All we ask is urgent intervention to rescue these children and staff,” she said.
Despite promises from the state and federal governments to deploy security forces, parents report receiving no updates, fueling frustration.
Many have organized grassroots support groups to care for affected families, offering food, transport, and counseling, reflecting the urgency and gravity of the crisis.
Security analysts warn that the Niger students abduction is part of a broader trend of attacks on schools across northern Nigeria, emphasizing the need for stricter school security measures, including surveillance, perimeter protection, and community vigilance.
The incident has also attracted attention from civil society and religious groups calling for immediate action.
Public vigils, petitions, and prayers have been organized nationwide, underscoring widespread concern over the safety of students and teachers.
As of now, the fate of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers remains uncertain.
Families, clergy, and community leaders continue to demand swift government intervention, highlighting that every hour is critical for the safe return of the captives.
The Niger students abduction has become a national symbol of the broader insecurity affecting Nigerian schools, pressing policymakers to implement robust measures to protect students, teachers, and educational institutions.
Families remain hopeful, holding onto faith and the expectation of reunification with their children and teachers.
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