Education in Peril: Amnesty Warns of Catastrophic Impact as 12M Children Face Escalating Kidnap Crisis
Amnesty International Nigeria has warned that the wave of mass kidnappings targeting schools could severely derail educational progress across Northern Nigeria.
Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said the psychological impact of abductions—and even the fear of such attacks—will discourage countless children from attending school.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Sanusi noted that rising insecurity is pushing parents to rethink the safety of sending their children to school as incidents of school kidnappings continue to escalate.
“The trauma that comes with being abducted, or with the fear of being abducted, is going to prevent thousands of children from getting an education completely,” Sanusi said.
He added that families in rural communities already struggle to keep their children in school due to economic pressures, and the current security challenges will worsen the situation.
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He added, “We also have to consider the fact that in many rural areas, children play key roles in the household, so many parents already make significant sacrifices to allow their children to go to school.
“Now, with these failures, you are going to see a situation where education suffers even more setbacks, especially in Northern Nigeria. People will be scared of going to school, and parents will be more skeptical about allowing their children to attend.”
Right To Education At Risk
Sanusi cautioned that the unfolding situation could rob an entire generation of the right to education.
“When added to the more than 12 million children already out of school, the future looks grim and dangerous,” he added.
Northern Nigeria has recently witnessed another uptick in attacks on educational institutions, leading several state governments to close schools temporarily.
On Monday, armed attackers raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Kebbi State’s Danko/Wasagu area, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the vice principal.
Just days later, on Friday, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State. Hundreds of students and staff were seized during the incident, although 50 students have since escaped.
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