The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The forum has urged security agencies to take swift, decisive, and well-coordinated action to ensure the safe return of the abducted children and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Speaking through his media aide, Ismaila Uba-Misilli, the forum’s chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, described the attack as deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable. He emphasized that such incidents are a direct affront to the safety and well-being of children, underlining the principle that schools must remain sanctuaries for learning rather than zones of fear and violence.
Governor Yahaya highlighted the broader implications of such attacks, noting that Northern Nigeria is already grappling with significant educational challenges, including high rates of out-of-school children. He stressed that criminal acts like this could undermine ongoing efforts to restore children to the classroom and advance regional educational development.
“As a forum, we have consistently maintained that schools must remain sanctuaries of learning and growth, not theatres of fear, violence, or terror. Northern Nigeria cannot afford setbacks that derail our collective mission of providing safe and quality education to all children,” he stated.
The forum expressed deep concern over the rising trend of attacks on educational institutions, noting that governments across the north have been investing heavily in creating safe, conducive, and resilient learning environments. Governor Yahaya assured that northern governors would not remain passive while criminal elements instill fear in young learners or threaten the progress of the region.
He confirmed that the forum would continue to collaborate closely with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance community vigilance, and reinforce protection measures for schools. He also extended heartfelt sympathy to the parents of the abducted pupils, school authorities, and the Niger State government, acknowledging the emotional toll of such a traumatic ordeal.
Governor Yahaya commended the ongoing search-and-rescue operations and urged security forces to intensify efforts with urgency. He also called on citizens to remain calm and cooperate with authorities by providing any information that could facilitate the safe return of the children.
The abduction underscores the urgent need for heightened security in schools across Northern Nigeria, as the forum continues to champion both the protection of children and the advancement of education in the region.
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