Amnesty International has raised fresh concern over the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren in parts of northern and southern Nigeria, calling on authorities to urgently rescue the victims and strengthen security around schools nationwide.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the rights group described the incidents as alarming, noting that schools, children and communities were targeted in separate attacks within days. According to Amnesty International, at least 82 schoolchildren were abducted between May 13 and 15, 2026, during attacks in Borno State and Oyo State.
The organisation said 42 pupils were kidnapped after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas of Borno State, while another 40 children were reportedly abducted after gunmen invaded communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Affected schools include Primary and Government Day Junior Secondary School Mussa, Local Authority School in Askira Uba, Ahoro-Esinele and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire LGA.
“The Nigerian authorities must take immediate and decisive action to investigate these incidents, rescue the victims safely, and take more concrete prevention measures to stop endless targeting of schools and children,” Amnesty International stated.
The group noted that some of the victims were as young as two years old, warning that repeated attacks on schools are worsening Nigeria’s education crisis. It added that many abducted children and teachers are never released, forcing millions of children to abandon education due to fear and insecurity.
Amnesty International also accused authorities of failing to properly investigate school abductions and prosecute those responsible, stressing that victims and their families are often denied justice and effective remedies.
According to the organisation, the inability of authorities to guarantee citizens’ safety amounts to a violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
