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Nigeria: 10 Years after Chibok, Schoolchildren Still at Risk – HRW

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria: 10 Years after Chibok, Schoolchildren Still at Risk – HRW

…Urges Government To Implement Safe Schools Plan to Protect Schools, Children

By: Our Reporter

Ten years after the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigerian authorities have failed to put in place and sustain crucial measures to provide a secure learning environment for every child, Human Rights Watch said today.

Since 2014, according to Save the Children, more than 1,600 children have been abducted or kidnapped across northern Nigeria. In the northeast, the armed conflict between Boko Haram and Nigerian armed forces continues to take its toll and, in the northwest, criminal groups commonly called bandits are terrorizing communities. During February and March 2024 alone, bandits kidnapped over 200 children from their schools in Kaduna and Sokoto states.

“For many children across northern Nigeria, the pursuit of an education means facing the constant threat of abduction or kidnapping,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Children should never face the harrowing dilemma of sacrificing their safety for education, but this untenable choice, which echoes the profound insecurity plaguing the country, is thrust upon them daily.”

On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram, an Islamist armed group, abducted 276 girls from their school in Chibok, a town in northeastern Borno state, sparking global outrage. Although some of the girls escaped, or were released or rescued, 96 remain in captivity according to UNICEF, and civil society groups continue to pressure the government to ensure they are rescued. Boko Haram, known for its opposition to education, has carried out other such abductions, including one of 110 girls from a school in Dapchi, a town in Yobe state, in 2018.

In addition to kidnappings by Boko Haram in the northeast, the ongoing banditry crisis in the northwest has in recent years made that area a hub for criminal kidnapping for ransom. The crisis emerged after years of conflict between herders and farmers, giving rise to the criminal groups, which have carried out widespread killings, looting, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom in mostly rural communities.

Between December 2020 and February 2021, a series of high-profile incidents, including the abduction of over 600 schoolchildren across Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states, thrust the kidnapping issue into the spotlight.

In the aftermath of Chibok, the Nigerian government endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, an international political commitment to protect education from attack and schools from military use which turns them into targets. The government also adopted a Safe School Initiative for Nigeria with the support of the global community and Nigerian business leaders. The initiative aimed to raise funds with an initial US$10 million pledge to help make schools safer, including by moving them to safer areas and creating a safe school model for schools across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, the three states worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency.

However, the multi-stakeholder initiative faced problems, and there has been a decline in momentum over the years with little or no progress made in fortifying schools, Human Rights Watch said. In 2021, Nigeria’s then-Senate president Ahmad Lawan, following an investigation into the utilization of the funds for the initiative, declared that it was designed to fail without a National Policy and Strategy for the Safe School Initiative and the leadership of the Federal Education Ministry. In the meantime, communities continue to suffer the brunt of bandit attacks and schoolchildren remain vulnerable prey.

A Chibok girl who was in Boko Haram captivity for over two years, and was released with 20 others, told Human Rights Watch that news of school kidnappings brings back memories of her ordeal. “Whenever I hear that more children have been kidnapped, I feel terrible, helpless,” she said. “We are still not safe … It brings back memories of what happened to me. I can never forget being snatched from my parents, my family for so long. I pray this is not the case for those that are kidnapped.” She is now a 28-year-old university student studying natural and environmental sciences.

Kemi Okenyodo, an expert in security and governance and the executive director of the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative in Abuja, told Human Rights Watch that the ongoing school kidnappings, resembling those in Chibok a decade ago, highlight a failure to learn from past experiences, as they are taking place without adequate security infrastructure or intervention from authorities to prevent dozens or hundreds of children being snatched away at once.

Amid the heightened threat of attacks on schools, many have been forced to shut down completely, with more than 20 million children out of school in Nigeria, according to UNESCO, among the highest number in any country in the world. According to UNICEF, 66 percent of out-of-school children in Nigeria are from the northeast and northwest, which are among the poorest regions in the country.

For girls especially, the challenges are double edged. They risk rape and other forms of sexual violence if kidnapped, and if kept out of school, they risk child marriage, which is a common practice in these regions.

In 2021, the government adopted the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence Free Schools aimed at improving school security, strengthening the capabilities of security agents to respond to threats, and ensuring that education continues for children displaced by conflict and crisis, among other reasons.

The authorities committed to investing 144.8 billion naira (about $314.5 million at the time) over a certain period to finance this initiative. In 2023, they announced that 15 billion naira (about $24 million at the time) had been earmarked to pilot the initiative in 18 high-risk states and 48 schools. However, details of the implementation are sparse, and it remains unclear the extent to which this has been done.

Okenyodo told Human Rights Watch that the government needs to involve communities in designing and implementing initiatives to make schools safer to create a sense of ownership and reduce inefficiency and corruption.

“Now more than ever, the Nigerian authorities should step up efforts to make learning safe for children,” Ewang said. “They should work with communities to adopt rights-respecting measures and put in place adequate financing, systems, and structures to ensure quick, effective, and transparent implementation to ensure that children can learn without being exposed to grave harm.”

Nigeria: 10 Years after Chibok, Schoolchildren Still at Risk – HRW

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Idris Says Nigeria Has Chosen to Resolve Misinformation of Genocide Through Diplomatic Channels

Published

10 hours ago

November 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Idris Says Nigeria Has Chosen to Resolve Misinformation of Genocide Through Diplomatic Channels

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has said that the genocide debacle with the United States will be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said this on Thursday at the 50th Anniversary of Angola, stating that the government will continue to explain the true situation of things in the country.

Idris while acknowledging that there are challenges in the country, insisted that the terrorist attacks are not targeted at one religious group.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims are victims of terrorists, arguing that the narrative about killings of Christians held by the U.S government is not one that would be resolved through press briefings.

The Minister revealed that: “We are trying as much as possible to make sure that this is resolved through diplomatic channels.”

He said that: “You all know how some people are helping to shape the narrative of who we are as a country.

“We know who we are. We know what Nigeria is.

“I could relate to that. So to think about what is happening now, I think some people are trying to shape the narrative for us.

The truth is that yes, we have security challenges in our country. Yes, we have Christian skills. No doubt about that.

“Yes, we also have Muslim skills. We have security challenges. All of us are aware of that.

“But to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not erase religious freedom, I think it’s wrong. We will continue to say that. We will continue to dig in.”

He expressed joy with the statements made by some partners and regional groups.

“I’m glad the statements we are hearing from the Economic Community of West African Commission, from the African Union, and the solidarity of the European Union, and the solidarity that everyone is showing together at this challenging time and when some narratives that we know are not really very correct about who we are as Nigerians.”

As I was sitting here I am receiving torrents of information still, fresh information coming out of the U.S. on this matter. And I’ve been bombarded by foreign journalists to respond to some of them. “We are trying as much as possible to make sure that this is resolved through diplomatic channels.

“But we have a duty to explain who we are as a country. We have a duty to also call on all Nigerians to come together, to think together.

“This is not a time for politics. This is not a time to say what you believe and what you don’t. This is a time to think and behave as a Nigerian.

“And I think that is what all of us should do. We must challenge the Nigerian media for reciprocation. And I want to challenge once again that all of us need only to put forth those things that promote our political existence as Nigerians, not the things that divide us.”

He assured Nigerians and the diplomatic community that “the government of Nigeria is functioning. It is listening to some of these very strong messages coming from all around the world and all the concerns of people from this country and outside. We are listening.

“But also keeping our cool and inviting all those that can help us to really navigate through this. When you shoot a bullet, it doesn’t mean you fall. You have a good identity.”

The commended the honoured former general for shaping the African continent and keeping the continents together.

The four Generals are : Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Major. Gen. Chris Garuba, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa and Big.Gen. Saleh Bala.

“And we are happy that you are recognising that. Nigeria is not just Angola. Nigeria is indeed a big brother to Africa,” Idris said.

“And we know all about this. And we want to take this energy, but also ask all Africans, and indeed the whole world, to also recognise what Nigeria is and what it truly represents. Let us not be characterised by what we are not,” he added.

Idris Says Nigeria Has Chosen to Resolve Misinformation of Genocide Through Diplomatic Channels

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NEDC reconstructs Mubi-Maiha road bridges

Published

10 hours ago

November 7, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NEDC reconstructs Mubi-Maiha road bridges

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has officially commenced the reconstruction of two bridges on the Mubi–Maiha road to restore connectivity and boost economic activity across Adamawa State.

Speaking at the flag off of the projects on Thursday, NEDC’s State Coordinator, Mr Khalifa lawan reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering durable infrastructure that supports the region’s recovery and development.

Khalifa who was represented by Head of the Technical Team in the state, Engr. Francis Joseph said, the contract was awarded to Triacta Nigeria Limited, with a duration of 12-months.

He said the bridge was severely damaged for long and considered unsafe for commuters and vehicles.

“Under the project scope, Triacta will construct a 5-span, 75-meter bridge at Buladega village and a 7-span, 105-meter bridge at Maiha.

“Both are situated on the strategic Mubi–Maiha corridor, a key route linking communities and markets in the northern part of the state”, he said.

Receiving the project site on behalf of the contribution company, Engr. Wijh Tamke, the Project Manager, assured stakeholders of the company’s readiness to deliver the project within the stipulated timeframe.

He added that the project would be delivered in accordance with best engineering practices.

Some of the residents described the projects as a long-awaited intervention that will enhance road safety, reduce travel time, and revitalize local commerce.

NEDC reconstructs Mubi-Maiha road bridges

News

Yobe holds an executive council meeting

Published

18 hours ago

November 6, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Yobe holds an executive council meeting

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Yobe State Executive Council meeting was held at the Government House, Damaturu, and was presided over by His Excellency, the Executive Governor, Hon. Dr. Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN.

The meeting approved some numerous projects that will make an impact on the lives of the people of the state.

Briefing the journalists on the outcome of the council meeting, State Commissioner of Works Engr. Umar Wakil Duddaye said to improve urban roads, the council approved the construction of two township roads in Potiskum valued at #2.69.

Engr. Duddaye further said this road to be constructed includes a 4.7-kilometer township road and a new link road from Bazuwa junction to Anguwan Fulani connecting to the Na Huta, Fika-Gombe road.

According to him, the new link road will solve the longest transportation challenges for the residents, especially during the rainy season. Adding that His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, always has these urban roads in his mind, and Potiskum is one of the towns he always wanted us to be there.

The council has approved upgrading three major hospitals that include Specialist Hospital Buni Yadi, Specialist Hospital Damaturu, and General Hospital Nangere, respectively.

The commissioner for health, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, stated this to newsmen after the meeting. He revealed that the council ratified the provision of medical equipment in hospitals and other facilities across the state.

The council also ratified approvals for the construction of pavements, a clinic, and a fire service station in nearly completed modern markets in Ngalda and Yunusari.

Alhaji Kaigama Umar Yunusari disclosed this to newsmen after the meeting. He maintained that the council approved the resuscitation of the state’s polythene and woven sacks company here in Damaturu.

Also briefing the journalists, Commissioner of Finance Alhaji Mohammed Abacha revealed that it will now be mandatory for all public officers to be given and to study the law before assuming their duties.

He said he presented a memo on the public finance law and urged the council to make it mandatory for all appointees to familiarize themselves with the law following their swearing-in to ensure accountability in governance.

Yobe holds an executive council meeting