…Says Closure of 40 Unity Schools Signals National Emergency
The Christian Media Forum (CMF) has raised alarm over the escalating wave of student kidnappings across northern Nigeria, describing the trend as a national security emergency that requires urgent, decisive action from the government.
In a statement issued in Kaduna on Saturday, November 22, 2025, and signed by its National President, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and National Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, the Forum said recent abductions in Kebbi and Niger states highlight the growing vulnerability of schoolchildren.
The latest incidents include the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, which triggered widespread outrage, and the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, where hundreds of pupils and teachers were taken by armed assailants.
CMF warned that such heinous acts must not be allowed to “become the new normal,” stressing that the government must adopt a proactive and coordinated approach to curb the worsening situation.
Adding to public anxiety is the Federal Government’s recent decision to shut down 40 Unity Schools over security concerns. The Forum said the closures further confirm that the attack on education is not limited to the kidnappings themselves but extends to a larger threat against Nigeria’s future.
“The wave of school closures signals a broader crisis that undermines access to learning for countless children,” the Forum said.
CMF also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise to the challenge, noting that Nigerians expect firm and strategic leadership from the Commander-in-Chief at a time when insecurity has become pervasive.
The Forum urged security agencies to go beyond arresting armed terrorists by targeting their financiers and sponsors to ensure that all those involved face justice.
It also appealed to the Federal Government to seek both domestic and international assistance to address the rising insecurity, particularly in the northern region. A coordinated response involving the military, intelligence services, and local communities, it said, is essential to dismantle networks responsible for the attacks.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the safe return of abducted children and supporting all measures aimed at protecting Nigeria’s educational institutions.
It further called on Nigerians of all backgrounds to unite against violence and work toward restoring peace and security throughout the country.
Background
Kidnapping of schoolchildren has become a recurring nightmare in Nigeria over the past decade, notably in the northern region. The 2014 Chibok abduction, followed by the Dapchi schoolgirls’ kidnapping in 2018, marked the beginning of a troubling trend that has persisted despite government efforts.
Armed banditry and terrorism have increasingly targeted educational institutions, partly to instill fear, exert control over communities, and extract ransom payments. States such as Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Katsina have witnessed repeated school attacks, forcing many schools to shut down.
The closure of 40 Federal Unity Schools by the current administration underscores the severity of the situation, as education—one of the country’s most vital assets—faces growing threats. Stakeholders have repeatedly warned that continued attacks risk deepening the education crisis, discouraging school enrollment, and worsening the nation’s human capital development outlook.
CMF’s latest statement adds to mounting pressure on the government to adopt a more comprehensive and intelligence-driven strategy to safeguard schools and restore public confidence.
