The United States has condemned the recent abductions of students and teachers in Niger and Kebbi States, calling for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
In a statement released Monday on its X handle, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs described the incidents as crimes that must not go unpunished. It urged the Nigerian government to strengthen security measures and 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.
“Those responsible for these crimes must be swiftly captured and held accountable. Nigerians must be able to live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
The Kebbi abduction occurred on November 17 when gunmen invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, killing the vice principal, Hassan Makuku, and kidnapping at least 25 students. Four days later, armed men attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, abducting over 300 students and 12 teachers. Fifty of the students have since escaped and reunited with their families.
These attacks mark a troubling rise in school-targeted kidnappings in Nigeria, echoing the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction by Boko Haram.