Atiku calls for state of emergency on insecurity after Niger school kidnapping
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity following the mass abduction of students from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday. Gunmen reportedly stormed the Catholic-owned school in the early hours, arriving on more than 60 motorcycles and a van, and whisked away an unspecified number of pupils.
Reacting on X, Atiku described the attack as “truly heartbreaking” and warned that the increasing wave of kidnappings across the country demands urgent and extraordinary action. “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,” he said.
The Niger incident follows a series of similar attacks, including the abduction of 26 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State last week, which also resulted in the death of the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, and at least 30 worshippers abducted during a deadly attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
President Bola Tinubu previously condemned the attacks and instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the victims, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s rising insecurity.
