The United States has charged the Nigerian government to ensure that those responsible for the abduction of students and teachers in Niger State, as well as the earlier kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State were apprehended and persecuted in accordance with the law.
In a statement on Monday shared on X, the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs called on the Nigerian government to act decisively “and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
It further called on the government to strengthen security measures and guarantee the safety of vulnerable communities, including Christian populations.
It wrote, “The United States condemns the mass abduction of reportedly over 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria, and the kidnapping, just days before, of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
“Those responsible for these crimes must be swiftly captured and held accountable. The Nigerian government must act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
The US reaction follows the escalating terrorists attacks and abduction of school children in parts of the Nigeria’s northern region.
Daily Intel recalls that gunmen on November 17 stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the vice principal, Hassan Makuku, and abducting at least 24 female students.
Four days later, on November 21, gunmen raided St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers.
The incident has led to many States in the region to shut schools.
