Over 600 Pupils, Teachers Abducted Despite #145bn Safe-School Scheme
No fewer than 603 pupils and teachers have been abducted in seven major school attacks across Nigeria between March 2024 and May 2026, raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of the N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative designed to protect learning institutions from insecurity.
The figure, drawn from reported mass abductions in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Borno and Oyo states, highlights the growing threat facing schools despite the Federal Government’s intervention programme launched to strengthen security around educational facilities.
The development has reignited debate over the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, which was introduced following the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Stakeholders have attributed the continued attacks to weak implementation, inadequate funding, poor infrastructure and insufficient security presence in many schools.
Records of major incidents show that on March 7, 2024, armed men invaded LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State, abducting 137 pupils. Two days later, another 15 students were kidnapped from a Tsangaya school in Gidan Bakuso, Sokoto State.
In November 2025, gunmen abducted 25 schoolgirls from Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State. Four days later, St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, came under attack, with 303 students and 12 teachers reportedly abducted before they were later rescued by security operatives.
The trend continued in 2026 as 23 pupils were kidnapped from Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage and School in Lokoja, Kogi State. In Borno State, suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted 42 students from a school in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, while armed men abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Although the Safe Schools Initiative was designed to protect vulnerable institutions, officials involved in the programme acknowledged that implementation has been hampered by funding constraints and varying levels of commitment by state governments.
The National Coordinator of the initiative, Halima Illiya, had disclosed that the Federal Government planned to invest N144.8 billion between 2023 and 2026, targeting high-risk states and vulnerable schools across the country.
A senior official familiar with the programme noted that while consultations with state governments were ongoing, inadequate funding remained a major challenge.
Education stakeholders have expressed disappointment over the continued vulnerability of schools.
National President of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria, Haruna Danjuma, accused governments of neglecting their responsibilities to protect learners and educators.
He lamented that many schools still operate without perimeter fencing, surveillance systems or adequate security personnel, despite repeated attacks.
“Teachers have been killed and children abducted, yet we have not seen enough action from those responsible. The Safe Schools programme is one of the most important issues every governor should handle with seriousness,” he said.
Similarly, National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Audu Amba, warned that schools have increasingly become targets for kidnappers and bandits.
“Our schools are no longer safe. If the learning environment is not secure, education cannot take place. Governments at all levels must work together to protect schools and restore confidence in the system,” Amba stated.
He further warned that the union could be forced to consider stronger actions, including school closures, if attacks on educational institutions continue unabated.
The Nigeria Labour Congress also backed the nationwide protests organised by the NUT, describing them as a legitimate response to the worsening security situation confronting schools.
NLC President Joe Ajaero said the country could no longer afford to treat attacks on schools as routine incidents, urging authorities to prioritise the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers and strengthen security measures nationwide.
Security analyst Chidi Omeje described the scale of the abductions as alarming, noting that what was once considered an isolated tragedy had evolved into a recurring national challenge.
“What happened in Chibok was expected to be an isolated incident, but years later school abductions have become a recurring pattern. That should concern every Nigerian,” he said.
While states such as Benue and Katsina have implemented measures including school fencing, surveillance and school safety policies, rights groups argue that progress remains uneven across the country.
Amnesty International also criticised the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, alleging that bureaucratic delays and corruption concerns have weakened its impact and left many schools vulnerable to attacks.
With over 600 pupils and teachers abducted within a little more than two years, stakeholders are calling for urgent and comprehensive measures to secure schools, strengthen intelligence gathering and fully implement the Safe Schools Initiative to prevent further attacks on Nigeria’s education sector.