Lagos/Abuja — Amnesty International has strongly criticized Nigerian authorities for their failure to protect civilians, particularly children, amid a surge in abductions and violent attacks by armed groups across multiple states.

The organization highlighted the unknown total number of children currently held captive by gunmen and bandits. Recent incidents include:

• On or around 13-15 May 2026, **42 school children** were abducted from schools in Askira Uba LGA (including Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School) and nearby areas in Borno State. Reports indicate involvement of Boko Haram elements, with children reportedly used as human shields during escapes.
• On 15 May 2026, gunmen attacked multiple schools in Orire LGA (Oriire district), Oyo State — including Community High School in Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School — abducting at least **39 children and 7 teachers**. One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded, while another died while fleeing.

These abductions occurred within days of each other, targeting educational institutions in both northern and southern parts of the country. Many victims, including very young children (some as young as two), face risks of starvation, torture, beatings, flogging, rape, and other sexual violence. Survivors of past incidents have recounted harrowing ordeals.

Amnesty International also condemned fresh attacks in Sokoto State, where gunmen escalated operations across Isa and Sabon Birni local government areas between 25-26 May 2026. Villages were raided, residents displaced, people abducted, and many remain unaccounted for, contributing to a rising death toll and humanitarian crisis.

The organization stated:

“The government has an obligation to protect its population. The rising death toll, abductions and displacement in the north of Nigeria shows just how badly the authorities are failing in this responsibility.”

Amnesty emphasized that repeated targeting of schools has far-reaching consequences: disrupting education, instilling fear among parents and pupils, and exacerbating Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis. Many girls face forced early marriage as families seek to avoid abductions. The group noted that authorities have often failed to deliver on promises of thorough investigations, rescues, and justice for victims.

This latest wave adds to a grim tally. Amnesty previously documented over 1,100 abductions in northern Nigeria between January and April 2026 alone, with women and children disproportionately affected.

Amnesty International Nigeria reiterated that the protection of children’s lives and the right to education are paramount. Nigerian authorities must:

- Immediately secure the safe release of all abducted children and teachers.

- Strengthen school security and rural protection measures.

- Conduct prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into these attacks.

- Fulfill national and international human rights obligations to prevent further violence.

The statement consolidates Amnesty International’s key messages with verified details from their official communications. These incidents underscore the urgent need for a more effective, coordinated response to banditry, insurgency, and insecurity plaguing Nigeria’s educational sector and vulnerable communities.