Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity following the growing wave of killings and abductions across the country.
His call came after the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, where hundreds of students and staff were taken away by armed men.
Reacting on X, Atiku said the incident was “truly heartbreaking” and questioned the delay in responding to the worsening security crisis.
He added, “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”
He urged the government to act immediately, saying, “It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the urgency it deserves.”
The number of abducted persons has risen to 315 after a verification exercise.
According to the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, Most Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, the current figure includes 303 students and 12 teachers.
The Niger State Government said the school resumed academic activities without approval despite an earlier closure order, a decision they believe exposed the students and staff to danger.
Security operatives have been deployed to the area as rescue operations continue.
