Amnesty International, a global human rights organization, has condemned the Federal Government’s security measures following the killing of a vice principal and the abduction of more than 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ College, Maga, in Kebbi State.
The rights group described the incident as a stark demonstration of the government’s inability to protect children from armed groups that have repeatedly attacked schools across the country.
Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to take immediate and concrete measures to ensure the safe release of the abducted students, conduct a transparent investigation of the attack, and hold the perpetrators accountable through fair trials.
In a statement on Monday, the organization noted that repeated attacks on schools across Nigeria highlight a persistent failure by authorities to implement effective security plans, particularly in regions vulnerable to armed groups, putting children’s education and safety at serious risk.
The group also warned that these abductions have contributed to declining school enrollment in affected areas and cautioned that unless urgent action is taken, continued attacks could reverse years of progress in girls’ education.
It further urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, to comply with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, emphasizing that children have the fundamental right to protection and education, which must be safeguarded immediately.
The statement reads, “Mass abductions in Nigeria early today of more than 25 school girls at GGCSS Maga Kebbi State is a shocking indictment of the authorities’ persistent failure to protect people from attacks by armed groups that have killed thousands of Nigerians in the last decade.
“Our findings show that the girls were abducted by gunmen that invaded the school around 5:00am today. The gunmen killed the security guard and vice principal of the school. At gunpoint, they forced someone living in the school’s staff quarters to show them the girls’ hostel.
“The latest mass abductions clearly show President Bola Tinubu and his government have no effective plan for ending years of atrocities by armed groups and gunmen that are increasingly having a free reign across many parts of Nigeria. Whatever security measures being implemented by President Tinubu and his government are clearly not working
“The organization is calling on the Nigerian government to take all necessary measures to ensure the safe release and return of the girls abducted to their families. Authorities must also promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, effectively, and transparently investigate the recurring cases of abductions in many parts of the country, make public the findings of any investigation and ensure that the suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials.
“The Nigerian authorities have failed to put in place effective security plans for schools in vulnerable areas despite the abduction of hundreds of school children. These failures have triggered a decline in school enrollment in a major setback for girls’ education. Nigerian authorities must ensure a safe learning environment for children and address the risks of new abductions in the country.
“Children have the right to protection and education. Authorities must take immediate and concrete measures to prevent abductions that are gradually becoming the norm in Nigeria.
