Washington has urged Nigeria to swiftly bring to justice those behind the mass kidnappings of students in Kebbi and Niger states, warning that escalating attacks on schools threaten the safety of Christians and the future of children across northern Nigeria. The call followed the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi and more than 300 pupils and teachers in Niger within days of each other.
The US government said it was providing intelligence support and would fast-track Nigeria’s defence equipment requests as part of a new joint working group on counterterrorism. The Presidency confirmed the agreement after a series of high-level meetings between top US officials and a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Washington.
Amid global concern, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora released a full list of the 265 victims still held in the forest by their captors, revealing that 239 of them are nursery and primary school children. Authorities say the gunmen have not established contact with the school, families or government, leaving parents in anguish as the victims’ whereabouts remain unknown.
The kidnappings mirror previous high-profile school abductions in the North, raising fears of a worsening pattern of attacks. Amnesty International warned that the wave of mass kidnappings could derail education across the region, saying the trauma of abductions — and the fear of them — is likely to push thousands of children out of school.
Nigeria’s government said it had challenged what it called “misconceptions” about the security situation during its visit to Washington, rejecting claims of religiously targeted violence. US officials, however, stressed the need for stronger protection of Christian communities and all learners across the country, insisting “those responsible must be captured and held accountable.”
Across Niger State, tension remains high as labour unions, religious groups and community leaders condemn the attacks as assaults on children and the nation’s future. The Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress described the kidnappings as “barbaric,” urging all security agencies to intensify rescue operations.
A separate wave of violence in Kwara State has also rattled communities after bandits attacked a church, killing two people and abducting 38 worshippers. Survivors described being transported deep into a forest the attackers appeared to control, underscoring concerns about the growing reach of armed groups across several northern states.
