Amnesty International (AI) has sharply criticised the Nigerian government for failing to protect children following recent mass abductions in northern Nigeria, including 315 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri, Niger State.
Isa Sanusi, AI Nigeria Director, said the attacks expose “serious gaps in child protection,” noting that over 230 children remain in captivity this week while closures of hundreds of schools in Katsina, Plateau, and other states have disrupted education.
Sanusi condemned authorities for not learning from past incidents, stressing that children in northern Nigeria remain at constant risk of abduction or death. Families, particularly of girls, have withdrawn children from school or married them off to avoid danger.
The organisation urged the government to investigate the attacks as potential war crimes or crimes against humanity, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure that every child can access education safely.
“No child should risk their life to learn. Nigeria is failing its children,” Sanusi warned.