Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urges FG to declare a state of emergency on insecurity after mass abduction of students in Niger State
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity following the mass abduction of schoolchildren in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
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Reacting to Friday’s attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Atiku described the incident as “truly heartbreaking” and warned that the escalating wave of kidnappings demands urgent and extraordinary action.
On X, he wrote, “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.”
Gunmen reportedly stormed the Catholic-owned school in the early hours of Friday, arriving on more than 60 motorcycles and a van, and abducted an unspecified number of students.
The Niger incident comes amid a surge in attacks on educational institutions. Less than a week earlier, bandits abducted 26 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, killing Vice Principal Hassan Makuku, who attempted to resist the gunmen.
The latest events also follow a deadly assault on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where at least 30 worshippers were abducted and three people killed.
President Bola Tinubu condemned previous mass kidnappings and expressed condolences to victims’ families, while instructing Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the affected students.
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Atiku’s appeal underscores growing public concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation and calls for swift and decisive government action to protect citizens, particularly vulnerable schoolchildren.
