U.S demands decisive action from Nigeria on abducted schoolchildren, security
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The US further called on the government to strengthen security measures and guarantee the safety of vulnerable communities, including Christian populations.
By Ayox Ojo
The United States has urged the Nigerian government to ensure that masterminds of abductions of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi States are brought to justice for their crimes.
The US government said this in reaction to recent kidnapping to teachers and students in Niger and Kebbi States in a statement issued on Monday via its X handle.
In the statement by its State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, the US further called on the government to strengthen security measures and guarantee the safety of vulnerable communities, including Christian populations.
The US government added that Nigerian government must act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure that Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
It wrote, “The United States condemns the mass abduction of reportedly over 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria, and the kidnapping, just days before, of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
“Those responsible for these crimes must be swiftly captured and held accountable. The Nigerian government must act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
Recall that gunmen abducted 24 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State on 17 November.
The gunmen also killed the vice principal, Hassan Makuku.
Also, last Friday, gunmen abducted over 30s students and 12 teachers at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
However, reports on Sunday indicated that 50 students St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School escaped from the kidnappers.
The Federal Government had in response to the abduction of the schoolchildren ordered a shutdown of academic activities in some schools.
While the Federal Government closed 41 unity schools, governors of Bauchi, Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Katsina also shut down schools in their states.(NAN)
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