Governors Hold Emergency Talks as School Closures Surge in Kidnapping Crisis

Governors from Nigeria’s South-West and Northern regions convened emergency sessions on Monday to tackle rampant kidnappings and banditry, with school lockdowns spreading across several states. The South-West Governors Forum met in Ibadan, Oyo State, while Northern leaders scheduled a summit for November 29 in Kaduna. Attacks have snatched dozens of schoolgirls in Kebbi and over 300 pupils in Niger State, leaving communities gripped by fear.

South-West governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and Seyi Makinde of Oyo, issued a firm communique. They demanded swift action on state police, calling it overdue. The group pledged unity and backed President Bola Tinubu’s security push.

Key resolutions emerged from the Ibadan meeting.

– Set up a South West Regional Security Fund under the DAWN Commission to aid joint operations.
– Launch a digital platform for sharing intelligence on threats, incidents, and border movements among Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
– Boost forest surveillance with federal forest guards and state personnel, while cracking down on illegal mining.
– Tighten interstate border checks using the National Identity Management Commission.

Northern governors, led by Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, cut short international trips to focus on the threats. Sule assured full readiness, with security agencies on high alert. The Kaduna summit aims to map concrete steps against rising abductions.

Recent horrors fuel the urgency. Gunmen raided a school in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 24 girls and killing vice principal Malam Hassan Makuku. In Papiri, Niger State, bandits seized over 300 from St. Mary’s Catholic schools, though 50 escaped. Bauchi State shut all schools—primary, secondary, and tertiary—after consultations, while Gombe Police ramped up patrols around learning sites.

Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf donated 10 vehicles and 50 motorcycles to task forces in vulnerable areas. Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris hosted summits with rulers and urged a security overhaul. A federal team, led by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, gave N20 million to Makuku’s family and N10 million to a slain watchman’s kin.

Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang prepares a broad insecurity plan, vowing collaboration with the federal government. In Kwara, 38 worshippers freed themselves from a church raid in Eruku that claimed three lives. Borno faithful prayed for peace in Maiduguri, and the Christian Association of Nigeria plans a crusade in Jos from December 17 to 21.

Academic Staff Union of Universities President Prof. Chris Piwuna slammed attacks on education by bandits and government neglect. National Union of Teachers leader Titus Amba warned of strikes in hotspots. Amnesty International’s Isa Sanusi highlighted trauma barring thousands from school, worsening Nigeria’s 12 million out-of-school crisis.

National Orientation Agency chief Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu blamed weak national identity for the woes. These shadows fall heaviest on children, ripping futures from tiny hands and seeding lifelong scars. Governors’ resolve offers a flicker of hope, but only bold steps can reclaim safe classrooms and unbroken homes.