Over 600 Pupils, Teachers Abducted as N145bn Safe Schools Project Fails to Stop School Raids
Child protection advocates have raised fresh concerns over the safety of Nigerian schoolchildren after at least 603 students and teachers were abducted in seven major school attacks between March 2024 and May 2026, despite the Federal Government’s N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative.
The attacks, recorded across Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Borno and Oyo states, have exposed serious gaps in efforts to protect children in learning environments. Many of the victims were taken during coordinated raids on schools, leaving families traumatized and communities fearful.
The latest figures have renewed questions about the implementation of the Safe Schools programme, which was introduced following the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. The initiative aims to strengthen security in vulnerable schools and create safer learning spaces for children.
However, stakeholders say many schools still lack basic protective measures. Several public schools reportedly operate without perimeter fencing, security personnel, surveillance systems or emergency response plans.
The National President of the Parent-Teacher Association, Haruna Danjuma, warned that continued attacks could discourage parents from sending their children to school. He accused governments of failing to prioritise the safety and welfare of learners.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Teachers described schools as increasingly vulnerable targets for kidnappers and armed groups. The union stressed that education cannot thrive where children and teachers live in fear.
While some states have begun fencing schools and adopting safety policies, experts insist that stronger action is needed. They called for improved funding, better security infrastructure and closer collaboration between governments, communities and security agencies.
For many families, the growing wave of school abductions remains a painful reminder that every child deserves a safe and protected place to learn.
