The humanitarian organization Save the Children has publicly condemned the abduction of 23 female students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Kebbi State's Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. In light of this incident, the organization has called for urgent measures to facilitate the release of the abducted girls and to improve school safety nationwide.

According to reports, armed assailants invaded the school during the early hours of a Monday morning. This led to the unfortunate death of a school official and injuries to another individual, after which the attackers abducted the girls and fled to an unspecified location.

Save the Children characterized the incident as a distressing reminder of the ongoing security crisis affecting Nigeria's northern region, particularly the northwest. The organization noted that frequent attacks on educational institutions have disrupted the education of numerous children and have inflicted lasting trauma on affected communities.

In a media statement, the organization stated, "This horrific attack underscores the persistent threats to education in Nigeria, especially in the Northwest where children, particularly girls, continue to face violence and insecurity."

Duncan Harvey, the Country Director of Save the Children Nigeria, highlighted that such incidents infringe upon the fundamental rights of children. He emphasized the recognition of education as a fundamental right under both the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act, stating, “We all have a collective responsibility to ensure that children, regardless of their circumstances, can fulfill this right.”

In response to this incident, Save the Children has urged both the Federal and Kebbi State Governments to act promptly to secure the release of the girls and to hold those responsible for the attack accountable. The organization has also called for the enhancement of security measures at schools in high-risk areas. This includes the implementation of early warning systems, community-based protection structures, and rapid response mechanisms.

Additionally, Save the Children emphasized the importance of enforcing the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, along with the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools. These measures are deemed essential for ensuring the protection of learning environments. The organization further encouraged investment in long-term strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, youth unemployment, and inadequate governance.

Notably, while Save the Children reported a decrease in school-related attacks in recent years, the abduction in Kebbi represents the first significant school kidnapping since March 2024, when over 200 students were taken from Kuriga in Kaduna State.

According to the organization’s report titled "Education Under Attack in Nigeria," between February 2014 and December 2022, there were at least 70 recorded attacks on schools across the country, with 49 occurring in the northwest region. These attacks resulted in the abduction of 1,683 learners, the deaths of 184 students, and the destruction of 25 school buildings.

In conclusion, Save the Children has stressed the urgency of taking action, asserting that "Education is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right." The organization has called for a united effort among governments, communities, and partners to create safe learning environments, underscoring that "No child should pay for education with their life."