Toronto, ON, November 25, 2025 – According to news reports, 303 students and 12 teachers were abducted by armed actors from a school in Nigeria’s Niger State in the early hours of Friday November 21, 2025. While 50 students managed to escape and returned to their families on Sunday November 23, more than 250 remain captive.

Speaking on the abduction, Plan International Nigeria’s Country Director, Dr Charles Usie, issued the following statement.

“This incident comes less than one week after the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, signalling a disturbing pattern of repeated attacks on Nigeria’s learning environments and the growing risk faced by school children. We cannot, as a nation, continue to watch children being taken from classrooms with no guarantee of protection. A child’s quest for education should never become a risk to their life. Schools must be places of learning, not places of fear.

“Every child deserves an education in an environment that protects their safety, dignity and future – yet currently, armed non-state actors can abduct pupils and educators with impunity. If the safety of our children is not guaranteed, then the future of this country is in jeopardy. Nigeria must demonstrate stronger political will to uphold the right to education, because in failing to protect children, we are failing our nation.

“This latest abduction, coming so soon after the Kebbi incident, shows once again that current measures to keep children safe in and around schools are not sufficient. Learning environments remain exposed to serious threats, and the systems that should prevent or respond to attacks are still far too weak. These recurring attacks continue to erode parents’ confidence in the education system and in the ability of authorities to protect their children.

“We call on Nigeria’s Federal Government to treat these cases as a matter of national priority and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding children. Security and intelligence agencies must act swiftly to locate and safely rescue the abducted students and staff. We also urge both national and state authorities to strengthen community-based protection systems, improve early warning and rapid response mechanisms, and increase investment in school safety across the country.

“In addition to national action, we call on the international community to reinforce efforts to protect schools in crisis-affected regions and to uphold commitments under the Safe Schools Declaration so that learning spaces everywhere are protected from attack.

“We reaffirm our commitment to standing with children, especially girls, across Nigeria advocating for their safety, education, and future. We cannot afford to normalize the abduction of children who simply want to learn. Schools must be safe spaces, not zones of fear.”

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and is now active in more than 80 countries.

We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We’re determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal.

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