By Fatima Saka
The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governments at all levels to suspend the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations if abducted school children and teachers across the country are not rescued before the national event.
The coalition made the demand on Monday during a World Press Briefing in Abuja, where it raised serious concerns over the rising wave of school kidnappings and persistent attacks on education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the briefing, CSACEFA National Moderator and Board Chair, Peculiar Caleb, described the growing insecurity in schools as a direct assault on education, childhood, and the nation’s future. Caleb, who also serves as President of the Africa Network Campaign on Education for All (ANCEFA), warned that schools were increasingly turning into “terror zones,” leaving children, teachers, and parents in fear, trauma, and uncertainty.
She cited recent attacks in Oyo State and Borno State as part of a troubling trend. In Ahoro Esinele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, at least 39 school children and seven teachers were reportedly abducted. According to her, the victims included pupils from one secondary school and two primary schools, while one teacher was allegedly killed in captivity and security operatives injured during rescue attempts.
Caleb also referenced another incident in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, where suspected militants reportedly abducted 32 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, alongside 10 others from nearby homes.
“These incidents are not isolated. They form part of a growing pattern of attacks on education where children, teachers, parents, and school communities are deliberately targeted with violence and fear,” she stated.
The coalition lamented that despite Nigeria’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration in 2019 and the adoption of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools in 2021, implementation has remained weak, with little accountability.
CSACEFA further warned that the situation could damage Nigeria’s global education reputation, especially as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 Global Partnership for Education replenishment campaign alongside Italy.
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“Nigeria cannot stand on the global stage to mobilise education financing while, at home, children are being abducted from schools and parents are too afraid to send their children to classrooms,” Caleb added.
The group urged the federal and state governments to take urgent and decisive action to secure schools, rescue abducted victims, and restore public confidence in the safety of the education system.
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