Bomba Dauda
The Christian Media Forum (CMF) has raised alarm over the escalating wave of kidnappings targeting schoolchildren across northern Nigeria, calling for urgent and coordinated government action to stem the growing insecurity.
In recent weeks, multiple attacks have rattled communities and heightened national concern. Gunmen abducted a group of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, prompting widespread outrage. Days later, armed assailants invaded St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, whisking away hundreds of pupils and teachers in yet another brazen assault.
The Forum warned that these incidents must not be allowed to become a dangerous new normal. It noted that the federal government’s directive to shut down 40 Unity Schools further underscores the gravity of the situation, indicating that the assault on education now goes beyond the abductions themselves.
A statement jointly signed by CMF National President, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson, and National Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, on Saturday, November 22, called on the federal government to take decisive steps to halt the trend.
The CMF leaders urged all relevant authorities and stakeholders to move beyond public rhetoric and implement concrete, impactful measures. They further appealed to security agencies to go after not only the perpetrators but also the financiers and sponsors of terrorism, insisting that all involved must face the full force of the law.
The Forum also charged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, to rise to the occasion and confront the menace threatening national stability, noting that strong and proactive leadership is critical at this time.
In addition, the CMF encouraged the Federal Government to seek both local and international support to tackle the worsening security challenges, particularly in the northern region. A well-coordinated strategy involving military operations, intelligence gathering, and community engagement, it said, is essential to dismantle the criminal networks fueling the crisis.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the safe return of all abducted children and supporting initiatives that ensure the protection of Nigeria’s educational institutions. It also called on Nigerians of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds to stand united against violence in pursuit of a peaceful and secure future for the country.
