Education advocacy group warns rising attacks on schools threaten learning, increase out-of-school children and undermine national development
By Zakari Mohammed – June 26, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s fragile education system has come under renewed pressure following the abduction of six Almajiri pupils by suspected terrorists in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as education advocates warn that persistent attacks on schools are threatening children’s right to learning and the nation’s future.
The latest incident has intensified concerns over the safety of schools across the country, coming amid a resurgence of violent attacks by armed groups targeting rural communities, farmers and educational institutions.
The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) has condemned the continued wave of school abductions, describing the attacks as a direct assault on children’s access to education and a serious setback to national development.
Education Coalition Raises Fresh Concern
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Gombe State and North-East Zonal Coordinator of CSACEFA, Halima Mahdi, warned that insecurity has become one of the greatest threats facing Nigeria’s education sector.
She noted that recurring attacks on schools are instilling fear among pupils, teachers and parents, discouraging school attendance and worsening the country’s already high number of out-of-school children.
“I condemn the continued abduction of schoolchildren across the country due to insecurity,” Mahdi said.
According to her, unless urgent action is taken to secure schools nationwide, Nigeria risks undermining decades of progress in expanding access to education.
Six Almajiri Pupils Abducted in Kaduna
The renewed warning follows Wednesday evening’s attack on Unguwar Gere community in Birnin Gwari, where suspected terrorists reportedly abducted six Almajiri pupils.
Local sources said the attackers invaded the area at approximately 6:30 p.m. and intercepted the children while they were returning home from a nearby farm.
The pupils were said to be only a short distance from the village when they were seized.
The abducted children have been identified as:
- Abdul Mali Malam
- Al Amin Biyar
- Abdurrahman Sama Ila
- Jamilu Malam
- Usumanu Bilya
- Abdul Ganiyu Samaila
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not released an official statement regarding the incident.
Soldiers, Residents Launch Rescue Effort
Community members, assisted by troops stationed at the Supa Camp in Kuyallo, reportedly mobilised immediately after the attack.
Sources said security personnel engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat.
Despite the resistance, the attackers escaped with the six children, while efforts to locate and rescue the victims continued.
Growing Pattern of Violence in Birnin Gwari
The latest abduction adds to a growing list of violent attacks recorded in Birnin Gwari, one of Kaduna State’s most vulnerable security flashpoints.
Only days earlier, suspected bandits reportedly attacked Layin Danauta village, killing several farmers and abducting nearly twenty others.
According to local sources, the attackers stormed farmlands and opened fire on farmers before kidnapping several victims, including women.
Residents described the assault as another indication that insecurity remains widespread despite ongoing military operations in the region.
Education Under Siege
CSACEFA warned that repeated attacks on schools are reversing gains made in improving school enrolment across Nigeria.
Mahdi stressed that fear has become a major barrier preventing children from attending school, particularly in conflict-affected communities.
“This is very disturbing because the future of education is at stake. Fear among children, parents and society at large is negatively affecting access to education,” she stated.
The advocacy group noted that prolonged school closures, declining enrolment and interrupted learning could have lasting consequences for Nigeria’s human capital development.
Ongoing Abductions Heighten National Concern
The Kaduna incident comes as dozens of pupils, students and teachers abducted from schools in Borno and Oyo states remain in captivity more than a month after their abduction.
Public schools in parts of Oyo State have also remained closed following demands by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for stronger security measures before academic activities can resume.
Recent police reports indicating approximately 50 bandit attacks within one week have further highlighted the deteriorating security situation across several parts of the country.
Call for Urgent Government Action
Mahdi urged federal, state and local governments to prioritise the protection of schools and ensure the immediate rescue of all abducted learners.
She warned that rising youth unemployment, increasing numbers of out-of-school children and persistent insecurity could combine to create deeper social and economic instability.
“What will happen to a society without education? With the current trend… we are heading for serious trouble,” she cautioned.
She appealed to authorities to intensify efforts to stop school kidnappings and guarantee that children can learn in safe environments.
“Stop abductions, stop kidnappings, and bring back our children safely and in good health,” she said.
The latest abduction of six Almajiri pupils in Kaduna underscores the continuing threat insecurity poses to Nigeria’s education system.
As attacks on schools persist, education stakeholders warn that safeguarding learners must become a national priority if the country hopes to reduce the number of out-of-school children, restore public confidence in schools and secure the future of millions of Nigerian children.
With rescue efforts ongoing and families anxiously awaiting the safe return of the abducted pupils, renewed calls are mounting for stronger security measures to protect educational institutions from becoming recurring targets of criminal violence.
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