(DDM) – The Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) has expressed deep outrage over the mass abduction of students and teachers in Niger State.
DDM gathered that more than 300 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in what is being described as Nigeria’s largest school kidnapping to date.
The abducted children are aged between 10 and 18 years.
Authorities reported that 88 additional students were captured while attempting to flee during the attack.
The incident occurred late Monday evening, leaving the local community in shock and grief.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the kidnappers arrived in large numbers, heavily armed, and executed a coordinated assault on the school.
Security forces were reportedly alerted too late to prevent the abductions.
COPDEM has condemned the incident as “unacceptable and intolerable,” calling for urgent intervention by the federal government.
The group emphasized that “every child matters, every life matters,” stressing that Nigeria cannot continue to witness repeated attacks on schools without decisive action.
This abduction has sparked nationwide concern, drawing comparisons to the infamous Chibok school kidnapping in 2014.
However, analysts say the Papiri incident is even larger in scale, with more students affected than in the Chibok crisis.
The Nigerian government has faced repeated criticism over its handling of school abductions, particularly in the northern regions where kidnappings by bandits and insurgents have surged.
COPDEM has demanded accountability from all security agencies and called on the government to immediately secure the release of the students and teachers.
The organization also urged Nigerians to actively speak out against such atrocities, warning that silence would embolden perpetrators.
Local residents have staged protests in Papiri, demanding swift action and promising to cooperate with authorities in providing information that could aid rescue efforts.
Education experts have highlighted that repeated kidnappings not only endanger children’s lives but also threaten the country’s educational system and future workforce.
Parents and guardians across Niger State have expressed growing fear over sending their children to schools, particularly in rural areas where security remains weak.
COPDEM has launched a campaign urging citizens to raise their voices on social media and through civic activism to pressure authorities into action.
International human rights organizations have also condemned the attack, calling for immediate negotiations and safe release of the children.
The Papiri abduction serves as a grim reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect schools and students.
Security analysts warn that without proactive strategies, such attacks could escalate, further destabilizing the region and eroding public confidence in the government.
COPDEM continues to coordinate with local authorities, security experts, and civil society groups to ensure that lessons are learned and lives are protected.