Former Anambra State governor and opposition politician Peter Obi has condemned the continued abduction of Nigerian schoolchildren, describing the situation as a national shame and evidence of the collapse of school safety across the country.
In a statement released on Children’s Day, Obi said his heart remained “heavy and troubled” despite celebrating Nigerian children, noting that many young students are still being held captive years after being abducted by criminal groups.
The former presidential candidate expressed concern that several kidnapped children have remained in captivity for days, months, and even years, while heartbreaking images and appeals from families continue circulating on social media.
According to Obi, the inability of the Nigerian state to protect schoolchildren from kidnappers reflects a deeper failure of governance and national security.
“A nation that cannot protect its children from criminals has little but shame to present to the global community,” Obi stated.
He also described the emotional pain faced by parents whose children remain missing, saying no parent should endure the humiliation and helplessness of being unable to guarantee the safety of their children.
Obi’s remarks come amid continuing insecurity in several parts of Nigeria, particularly in regions where armed bandits and terrorist groups have repeatedly targeted schools and rural communities.
In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a series of mass abductions involving students, teachers, and school workers, especially in northern and central parts of the country.
The issue recently resurfaced following attacks on schools in parts of Oyo State and other areas where gunmen reportedly abducted teachers and students, sparking nationwide outrage.
Security experts and civil society groups have repeatedly warned that repeated attacks on schools threaten children’s education, mental health, and public confidence in the country’s educational system.
Supporters of Obi praised his comments as a necessary reminder of the human cost of insecurity and accused political leaders of becoming desensitized to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
Critics, however, argued that insecurity predates the current administration and accused politicians across party lines of failing to solve the crisis while in office.
Human rights advocates say the continued targeting of schools could worsen school dropout rates, especially in vulnerable rural communities already struggling with poverty and limited access to education.
Observers note that school safety and national security are expected to remain major political issues ahead of the 2027 general elections as Nigerians continue demanding stronger protection for lives and communities.
