…Amnesty International says its deeply concerned and urges government action
SUN MAY 17 2026-theGBJournal| More than 80 children, including toddlers have been kidnapped from three schools in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state and Ahoro-Esinele community, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, according to parents and local residents.
The latest abductions occurred within days of each other, targeting children, schools and entire communities.
According to reports, On 13 and 14 May 2026, 42 school children were abducted when their schools were attacked by armed groups in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas of Borno State, northeast Nigeria.
On 15 May 2026, at least 40 school children were reportedly abducted after they were attacked by armed men in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The abductions took place at Government Day Secondary School, Mussa Central Primary School, and State Universal Basis Education Board (SUBEB) Secondary School in Borno State.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks but lawmaker, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, on Saturday confirmed that no fewer than 42 students, including children have been abducted when armed members of a terrorist group invaded the schools in school children were abducted when their schools were attacked by armed groups in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Peter Obi, former Anambra State Governor, and LP Presidential Candidate in 2023 said the abductions mark a grave crisis that threatens the future of the nation.
”Beyond the immediate terror of these acts, they represent a significant infringement on the basic right to education and a safe upbringing. The fear of further abduction often leads children—especially girls—to permanently leave school.
The ongoing “out-of-school” crisis is alarming in itself, and it is likely to worsen due to these distressing incidents,” he said, adding ”Sad: Schoolchildren Now ‘Pawns in Ransom Economy.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has expressed deep concern on the alarming reports of the abduction of school children by armed groups over the past week across in the north and south of Nigeria.
The Human Rights group called on the Nigerian authorities to take immediate and decisive action to investigate these incidents, rescue the victims safely, and take more concrete prevention measures to stop endless targeting of schools and children.
”This failure by the authorities to promote and ensure the security and safety of the population constitutes a serious breach of their human rights obligations, including under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party,” Amnesty International said.
Amnesty notes that, after each schools abduction, authorities never fulfill promises to investigate the incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Victims and their families continue to be denied access to justice and effective remedies
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