Oyo abduction: APSON worries over rising out-of-school children

The Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON) has expressed worries that continuous attacks on schools will worsen the number of out-of-school children in the country.

The association said this following the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in schools in Oyo State, which led to the death of two teachers.

In a statement made available to Third Lens on Thursday, signed by the South-West President of APSON, Mrs Oyeyemi Aduwo, the school owners expressed deep concern over the growing spate of insecurity affecting schools across the country, particularly in the region.

“As an association, we believe that education remains the foundation for national, social, economic, political and human development. It is also without doubt that unhindered access to education is a vital instrument for positive societal change and a fundamental social institution for transmitting knowledge, values, norms, skills and culture to younger generations.

“In light of the above, recent incidents of insecurity across our institutions of learning pose serious threats to the continuous realisation of these objectives,” the statement said.

According to the association, the growing trend of school abductions in Nigeria is a critical security challenge that must be urgently and adequately addressed.

The association noted that since the 2014 Chibok kidnapping, armed groups ranging from jihadists to criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits have repeatedly targeted schools for ransom and political leverage.

It said, “In November 2025, gunmen raided St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting over 300 students and teachers. Although about 50 children initially escaped and nearly 100 others were later released or rescued, the incident exposed significant vulnerabilities within the nation’s educational system.

“Similarly, in Kebbi State in November 2025, at least 25 girls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga. Shortly afterward, 12 teenage girls were also kidnapped in Borno State.

“Most recently, in mid-May 2026, armed bandits invaded schools in Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The attack targeted three schools: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, L.A. Primary School and Community Grammar School. Victims reportedly included seven secondary school students, 18 nursery and primary school pupils, and seven teachers, all of whom were left with traumatic experiences to tell.

“It is important to emphasise that the need for a safe and secure learning environment cannot be overemphasised. Nigeria currently accounts for one of the highest rates of out-of-school children globally, with UNICEF estimating the figure at between 18.3 and 20 million nationwide.

“The continued insecurity surrounding schools may further discourage parents from sending their children to school, driven by the belief that ‘a living dog is better than a dead lion.’

“If urgent and decisive action is not taken, this trend could significantly worsen the already alarming number of out-of-school children in the country.”

As the regional leadership of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria, the group therefore called on the Federal Government, state governments, local governments and all relevant authorities to:

“Prioritise the protection of lives and property as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Provide adequate support for private schools to strengthen security and prevent attacks on educational institutions.

“Create enabling opportunities and economic relief programmes capable of discouraging criminal activities and other social vices among youths, thereby improving the standard of living for the general populace.”