KEY POINTS

• US agrees to share intelligence and fast track defence requests after the Kebbi and Niger school kidnappings.

• Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirms 239 nursery and primary pupils are still missing in Niger State.

• Amnesty International warns that mass abductions threaten the future of education in northern Nigeria.

A hostel at Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. Bandits kidnapped 25 students and killed the vice principal during the attack.

The United States urged Nigeria to bring the abductors of schoolgirls and pupils in Kebbi and Niger states to justice.

The call came as the Presidency confirmed that Washington had agreed to set up a joint working group to improve counterterrorism operations and expand intelligence sharing.

The Presidency explained that both countries reached the decision during high level meetings in Washington last week.

The group will support Nigeria’s requests for arms and provide intelligence to help security agencies track armed groups behind recent mass kidnappings.

At the same time, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora released a detailed list of missing victims from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri. The list showed that 239 of the 265 people still unaccounted for are nursery and primary school children.

US Condemns Attacks and Urges Stronger Protection

The United States Bureau of African Affairs posted a public statement that condemned the abduction of more than 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.

It also referenced the kidnapping of 25 girls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, four days earlier.

The statement called for the prompt arrest of the attackers. It also urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen protection for Christian communities and guarantee that citizens can live, study and practice their faith without fear.

Gunmen killed Vice Principal Hassan Makuku during the November 17 raid in Kebbi. They abducted 25 female students.

On November 21, another armed group stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri and kidnapped 303 students and 12 teachers.

CAN later confirmed the figures after conducting a headcount of missing individuals. Fifty students escaped and returned home.

The incidents renewed concerns across the region. Amnesty International Nigeria warned that the repeated attacks could endanger the future of school children in the north.

The group noted the likely psychological impact, adding that many children may refuse to return to class out of fear.

US and Nigeria Agree to Deepen Security Cooperation

The Presidency noted that Nigeria’s delegation in Washington was led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Other members included Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oloyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, and senior aides attached to the NSA’s office.

Meetings involved officials from the US Congress, the State Department, the National Security Council, the Department of War, and the White House Faith Office.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the US agreed to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria.

He listed intelligence support, faster processing of defence equipment requests, and possible access to excess defence materials.

He added that the US also indicated willingness to support humanitarian efforts in the Middle Belt and help build early warning systems.

According to him, both countries accepted a non binding cooperation plan and will immediately activate the new Joint Working Group.

He noted that the Nigerian delegation used the visit to address what it called “misconceptions” about the security situation.

The delegation rejected claims of genocide and stressed that violence affects communities across different religions and ethnic groups.

Catholic Diocese Issues List of Missing Children

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora said 265 people remain in captivity from the Papiri school.

Twelve are staff members. Fourteen are secondary school students. The remaining 239 are nursery and primary pupils.

There has been no contact from the kidnappers. School officials, parents and authorities have not received any communication.

Officials confirmed that fifty students escaped last weekend while the captors moved them deeper into the forest.

The list showed 7 missing pupils in nursery one and 32 in nursery two. 62 are in primary one. 45 are in primary two. 32 are in primary three. 26  are in primary four. 19 are in primary five. 16 are in the secondary section.

Labour Unions Condemn Attacks

The Niger State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress expressed outrage over the abductions.

Chairman Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene described the incident as a “barbaric act” and called for urgent coordinated rescue operations by all security agencies.

He asked both federal and state governments to provide resources and logistics for security forces. He also appealed to community and religious leaders to support families and offer useful information to authorities.

He stated that every attack on a school threatens the future of the state. He added that the unions stand with Governor Umaru Bago and security agencies.

Kwara Church Survivor Recounts Attack

A member of Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, described how gunmen stormed the church on November 18.

Three people died in the attack. Thirty eight worshippers were abducted. All regained freedom on Sunday.

The survivor, who asked not to be identified, told TVC that the gunmen opened fire shortly after the evening programme began.

He first thought the sound outside was a faulty wire. The attackers surrounded the church and forced the captives into a forested area.

He explained that the kidnappers control large stretches of bush paths across Kwara and neighboring states. He said they boasted that no one could escape.

Amnesty Warns of Deepening Crisis for Children

Amnesty International Nigeria again raised concern that mass abductions will push many children out of school.

Country Director Isa Sanusi said the trauma of attacks will discourage thousands from returning to class.

He noted that families in rural areas already struggle to keep children in school because of economic pressure. Rising insecurity will now make the situation worse.

Sanusi warned that the crisis could rob an entire generation of education. He noted that Nigeria already has more than 12 million out of school children.