By Fatima Mukhtar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity following the latest mass abduction of schoolchildren in Niger State.
The fresh attack occurred on Friday at St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, where armed men stormed the school on motorbikes and vehicles, abducting several pupils and staff. Local sources say the exact number of victims is still being compiled as parents continue to withdraw their children out of fear.
Reacting to the incident, Atiku described the development as heartbreaking, stressing that Nigeria can no longer afford the repeated cycle of school abductions. He said the worsening security situation demands urgent and extraordinary action from the authorities.
“It is not too late for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity. Too many families have suffered, and too many lives have been shattered. Decisive action is overdue,” he emphasised.
The Niger State Government has since condemned the attack and accused school authorities of reopening the institution without clearance, despite earlier security warnings.
The latest incident comes just days after another mass kidnapping in Kebbi State, adding to the growing concerns about deteriorating safety across many communities in the North.
