The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has expressed deep concern over inability of the Nigeria government to safeguard schoolchildren from persistent terrorist attacks and abductions.
In a statement posted on the Committee’s official X account, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jim Risch condemned what he described as Nigeria’s “long-running failure” to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
He noted that despite years of repeated attacks, abductions, and killings, little progress has been made to secure schools, particularly those located in terrorism-prone regions.
Risch stressed that students—especially young girls—continue to suffer most from the ongoing insecurity. According to him, many remain easy targets for extremist groups who abduct them for ransom, forced labor, religious coercion, and other forms of exploitation.
He warned that as the United States continues its diplomatic engagement with Nigeria, Washington will not hesitate to hold the government accountable for the persistent neglect.
His comments follow the latest tragedy in Kebbi State, where about 25 schoolgirls were abducted after terrorists stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly killed the school’s principal before escaping with the students
The incident has reignited renewed international concern over the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria.
