Rep Member Decries Abduction Of Niger Schoolchildren
•By Admin
ABUJA – A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abdullahi Idris Garba, has strongly condemned the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Papari community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement issued on Friday, Rep. Garba, who chairs the House Committee on Aviation, described the incident as heartbreaking, barbaric, and wholly intolerable. He warned that the persistent attacks on schools endanger the nation’s educational development and future.
The abduction in Papari community adds to a troubling pattern of school-targeted attacks in Niger State and across the North, where criminal gangs have increasingly turned learning centres into soft targets. In recent years, several mass kidnappings of students have occurred in the region, disrupting education, instilling fear in communities, and straining security responses.
Despite ongoing military operations and government initiatives such as the Safe Schools Programme, bandits continue to exploit remote terrains and limited security presence, leaving schools, especially those in rural areas, vulnerable to raids. The latest incident has once again amplified calls for stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced protection for educational institutions, and urgent reforms to address the root causes of insecurity affecting the region.
The statement, signed by his media aide, Mohammed Umar, quoted the lawmaker representing Kontagora/Wushishi/Mariga/Masheg Federal Constituency as expressing deep worry over the psychological distress the kidnapped girls may be experiencing. He urged security agencies to swiftly launch a coordinated rescue mission to ensure the students’ safe return and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“On behalf of my family and constituents, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Government and people of Niger State, particularly the families of the abducted students. Please be assured of my unwavering support and solidarity during this difficult period,” he said.
Rep. Garba prayed for the safe and speedy rescue of the schoolgirls and called on residents to remain alert and cooperate fully with security operatives as part of the collective effort to stamp out criminal activities in the region.
•INDEPENDENTNG.