Amnesty warns of rising school abductions, stating children’s education is at risk

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has warned that Nigeria’s ongoing failure to stop the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers threatens the education of an entire generation.

The organisation said repeated attacks on schools and mass kidnappings in several parts of the country reveal serious gaps in efforts to protect children and guarantee access to education.

Amnesty International has documented at least 18 mass abductions of schoolchildren since the Chibok schoolgirls abduction in April 2014.

“The Nigerian authorities’ persistent failure to address the repeated abductions of school children and teachers in several parts of Nigeria is putting the education of a generation of children at risk,” Amnesty International said.

The group added that the recurring attacks highlight a consistent failure by authorities to protect children and teachers from armed groups and to hold those responsible accountable.

“Since the abduction of the Chibok school girls in April 2014, at least 18 mass abductions of school children have been documented by Amnesty International, highlighting the authorities’ consistent failure to protect children and teachers from attacks and guarantee access to education,” the group stated.

Amnesty International also expressed concern over the lack of justice for victims of previous school kidnappings, noting that authorities have yet to ensure accountability in many of the cases.

The rights group linked the growing insecurity to rising levels of displacement in northern Nigeria.

Citing figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Amnesty International noted that Sokoto State recorded the highest increase in internally displaced persons (IDPs), with the population rising from 88,562 in February 2026 to 181,526 in March 2026, an increase of 92,964 people or 105 percent.

The organisation also pointed out that Zamfara State, one of the regions hardest hit by banditry, recorded an increase of 74,648 displaced persons over the same period, bringing the total number of IDPs from 204,576 to 279,224, a 36.5 percent rise.

Amnesty urged Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to improve school security, prevent further abductions and ensure justice for victims and their families.