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Nigeria: 10 Years after Chibok, Schoolchildren Still at Risk – HRW
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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Zulum Appoints Prof. Bukar Usman as Pioneer Chairman of Zakkat, Waqf Commission, Names New Secondary Education Board Member
Zulum Appoints Prof. Bukar Usman as Pioneer Chairman of Zakkat, Waqf Commission, Names New Secondary Education Board Member
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the appointment of Prof. Bukar Muhammad Usman as the pioneer Executive Chairman of the newly established Zakkat and Waqf Collection and Distribution Commission.
The Commission, which became operational in 2025 following the passage of its enabling law by the State Assembly and the Governor’s subsequent assent, is mandated to oversee the collection, administration, and equitable distribution of Zakkat and Waqf across the state.
The appointment of the Executive Chairman is in accordance with the powers conferred on the Governor under Section 4 (1) and (2) of the Commission’s Law, 2025.
Prof. Bukar Muhammad Usman, a Professor of Arabic Literature and a distinguished Islamic scholar, brings to the role expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and academic leadership.
He began his academic career at the Nigerian Arabic Language Village, Gamboru Ngala, where he served as a lecturer from 2006 to 2018. Following the completion of his Ph.D., he joined the Department of Arabic at Yobe State University, where he currently holds the rank of professor.
Before his appointment, Prof. Bukar served as Head of the Department of Arabic at Yobe State University and was a member of both the university’s Senate and Council. He also served on the editorial board of Al-Nur Journal, a scholarly publication of the Department of Arabic.
He participated in numerous seminars, workshops, and conferences both nationally and internationally. He has published several scholarly papers in reputable local and international journals and also supervised many Master’s and Ph.D. theses across various institutions.
In a related development, Governor Zulum has also approved the appointment of Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Muhammad as a member of Borno State Senior Secondary Education Board, representing Southern Borno.
The appointment follows the demise of Alhaji Ibrahim Sarki in January 2026 and is in line with the provisions of Section 4 (1)(a) of the Borno State Senior Secondary Education Board (Amendment) Law, 2024.
Until his appointment, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Muhammad was a lecturer at the College of Education, Gashua, and holds a Master’s degree in Fundamentals of Religion.
Governor Zulum congratulated the appointees and urged them to deploy their experience, integrity, and commitment toward strengthening their respective institutions.
Both appointments are for an initial term of four years and are subject to confirmation by the Borno State House of Assembly.
Zulum Appoints Prof. Bukar Usman as Pioneer Chairman of Zakkat, Waqf Commission, Names New Secondary Education Board Member
Zulum elated by Tinubu’s approval of 3 federal institutions for Borno in 3 years
.. Says Borno will reciprocate the gesture in 2027
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving three major federal institutions for the state within three years of assuming office.
Zulum made the commendation on Sunday in Bama, shortly after a sympathy visit to residents affected by a devastating windstorm that struck part of the town last week.
Zulum specifically noted that since President Tinubu took office, he has approved the take-off of three vital federal institutions, including the Federal College of Education, Gwoza; the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare; and the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama.
He expressed delight that the institutions would directly transform the lives of the people of Borno through job creation, improved access to quality education, and specialised healthcare delivery.
Zulum commended President Tinubu for his sustained attention to Borno’s recovery and development needs, noting that the three federal institutions would significantly accelerate post-insurgency reconstruction and economic revitalisation.
“I want to draw your attention to the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama, by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, just two days ago.
“The pioneer principal officers were appointed. This is a remarkable achievement, and we want to hail the President for what he has done.”
“The take-off of the Federal College of Education, Gwoza, and the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, was achieved under the administration of President Tinubu; therefore, I want to commend him and assure him that the people of Borno State will reciprocate the kind gesture at the appropriate time.”
Zulum had last year announced the handover of Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science, and Technology, Bama, for the immediate commencement of academic activities at the newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama. The Governor also approved one billion naira for the immediate take-off of the University.
The Governor has consistently offered similar support to the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno; Federal College of Education, Gwoza; and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Azare, approving over N5 billion to facilitate a seamless take-off.
The Governor also inspected ongoing construction work for the 19 Brigade headquarters in Bama, underscoring his administration’s determination to consolidate security gains and restore full civil authority around the Bama general area.
Zulum elated by Tinubu’s approval of 3 federal institutions for Borno in 3 years
Gov. Lawal Commends Troops Over Successful Operations Against Bandits in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has commended troops of the Joint Task Force (North West) Operation Fansan Yamma for recording significant operational successes against armed bandits across parts of the state.
The governor gave the commendation following a series of coordinated military operations conducted in Kaura Namoda, Birnin Magaji and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor described the renewed military offensive as timely and strategic in disrupting activities of terrorist groups operating within Zamfara and neighbouring states.
According to the statement, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma launched coordinated offensives in the early hours of May 7 in Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji LGAs, leading to the neutralisation of three bandit kingpins.
The troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, one machine gun, one locally fabricated pistol, seven rifle magazines and 571 rounds of ammunition.
The statement further disclosed that troops achieved another major breakthrough on May 10 following intelligence reports indicating that several notorious terrorist commanders had gathered at a hideout in Tumfa village, Shinkafi LGA, to coordinate attacks on communities within the state.
According to the governor, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a precision airstrike on the identified location, destroying the structure used as the terrorists’ meeting point and disrupting the planned attacks.
Lawal said the sustained operations have demonstrated the commitment and resilience of security forces in tackling insecurity across the North-West region.
He reiterated the Zamfara State Government’s continued support for the military and other security agencies through the provision of logistics and operational assistance aimed at restoring lasting peace in the state.
The governor also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations against criminal elements.
Gov. Lawal Commends Troops Over Successful Operations Against Bandits in Zamfara
Zulum Appoints Prof. Bukar Usman as Pioneer Chairman of Zakkat, Waqf Commission, Names New Secondary Education Board Member
Zulum elated by Tinubu’s approval of 3 federal institutions for Borno in 3 years
Gov. Lawal Commends Troops Over Successful Operations Against Bandits in Zamfara
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