The Academic Forum of the Islamic movement (AFIM) under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has condemned the abduction of students in Kebbi and Niger States, warning that Nigeria is increasingly failing in its responsibility to protect children in schools. The group said the latest incidents represent another painful reminder of the country’s deepening security crisis and called for urgent, coordinated government action.
Speaking in a statement on Monday, AFIM National Coordinator Muhammad Jawad, said the government must take full responsibility for what he described as a recurring tragedy that has plagued the education sector for more than a decade. “These children are not statistics. They are daughters, sons, and future leaders whose safety should be non-negotiable,” he said.
The statement followed the widespread protests that took place on Monday, 24 November, across Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Nasarawa States, where members of AFIM, under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, marched to demand the immediate rescue of the abducted students and stronger protection for schools nationwide.
According to officials, armed assailants attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State on 17 November, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 female students. Four days later, another group of gunmen invaded St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, abducting more than 100 pupils and staff members. The twin attacks have heightened public anxiety and renewed scrutiny of the country’s security architecture.
AFIM said the latest incidents form part of a long pattern of school attacks dating back to Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara and other lesser-reported cases, noting that more than 2,200 students have been kidnapped since 2014. The group questioned how armed groups continue to cross state borders and evade security checkpoints despite huge national expenditure on defence and intelligence operations.
Jawad urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies, as well as the governments of Kebbi and Niger States, to act with urgency and synergy. He said rescuing the abducted children must be treated as both a security priority and a moral duty.
AFIM also called for the deployment of comprehensive, long-term security measures around schools—especially boarding institutions—and the development of a national strategy to secure rural communities and dismantle bandit networks.
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