Atiku condemns abduction of Niger students, says Nigeria’s security crisis is deepening

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, describing the incident as another alarming reminder of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

Atiku said the attack—which saw armed bandits invade the school and whisk away several students and staff—reflects the growing vulnerability of educational institutions and the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms.

Atiku, reacting on Friday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, lamented the incident, saying, “Not again. This is truly heartbreaking.” He posed a pointed question to authorities: “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the Bola Tinubu administration to declare a “state of emergency” on insecurity, insisting, “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 latest attack occurred in the early hours of Friday, just five days after terrorists abducted 25 students in Kebbi State. Gunmen reportedly stormed the Niger school and seized an undetermined number of students and teachers.