The Northern Elders Forum led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi expressed worry about the abduction of 287 students and teachers from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School, Kuriga 1, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State by bandits.
Bandits stormed On Thursday at about 8:30 am, the pupils and staff of the LEA Primary Kuriga were taken by the bandits after the morning assembly.
Due to the insecurity in the area, the secondary school was moved to the primary school.
However, Governor Uba Sani assured the people of the state that the abducted pupils will be rescued safely.
The NEF expressed sadness about the worsening security situation in the nation, shown by the alarming increase in school kidnappings.
The northern elders stated that the recent attack in Kuriga village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State has once again highlighted the serious security challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
The forum, in a statement by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, released in Kaduna, condemned the terrible act and showed deep concern about the growing trend of school kidnappings in the region.
The statement mentioned, “This event, where over 200 students and teachers were kidnapped from LEA Primary school, further emphasizes the shaky state of security in the nation.”
They expressed sadness about the fact that the kidnapping of schoolchildren has become common in Northern Nigeria, posing a serious threat to education in the region.
The statement added, “This terrible act not only violates the basic rights of these innocent children to education but also creates fear and worry among parents and educators.
“The recent trend of school kidnappings, where innocent children are being taken from their schools, is especially troubling. These incidents not only traumatize the victims and their families but also weaken the educational system and the future of the nation.”
The forum emphasized the need for teamwork between the government, security agencies, and local communities to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
“The current security situation is a serious concern, and all stakeholders must work together to find lasting solutions to these challenges”, NEF said.
The NEF also pointed out the wider impact of such violent acts on Nigerian society.
“The frequent kidnappings, killings, robberies, and violent attacks, not only in rural areas but even in the federal capital, remind us of the widespread insecurity in the nation. It is a sad fact that Nigerians constantly fear being targeted by criminals.
“The abduction of 200 students in Kuriga village is particularly worrying, especially since this is the same community where a school principal was killed and his wife kidnapped just over a month ago. These bold acts of violence show the blatant disregard for human life and the law by the perpetrators of these crimes”, NEF said.
The NEF warned that the situation of lawlessness is not acceptable and urged immediate action to bring back security and peace in the affected areas.
This criticism should prompt the government and security agencies to take proactive steps to protect schools, communities, and vulnerable groups in the North.
It is crucial that all necessary resources and plans are used to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students and teachers and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The government should view this as a strong statement reflecting the collective anger and concern of Nigerians about the worsening security situation in the country.
The government should prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens and take decisive action to address insecurity and protect the future of the next generation.
Education is a basic right that must be safeguarded at all costs, and any threat to it must be met with unwavering determination.
The group expressed their hope for the safe return of the abducted students and teachers to their families, and for justice to be served on those responsible for this terrible crime.
