The Federal Government of Nigeria has come under fire after reports emerged that it blamed the United States for failing to adequately support Nigeria in tackling the worsening wave of abductions in Kwara and Kebbi States.
The controversy follows the mass kidnapping of at least 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where gunmen stormed the school in the early hours of November 17, 2025, killing the vice principal and injuring a school guard Business Hallmark Vanguard. Similar abductions have also been reported in parts of Kwara State, sparking widespread outrage among parents, civil society groups, and student unions.
In Abuja, government officials suggested that the United States had not provided sufficient intelligence and military support to help Nigeria curb terrorism and banditry. This claim has drawn sharp criticism from activists and opposition figures, who argue that the government is deflecting responsibility instead of addressing systemic security failures.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the Kebbi attack, describing it as a “devastating assault on the nation’s conscience” and urging the government to take decisive action Vanguard. Senior lawyer Goddy Uwazurike also blasted the authorities, saying Nigeria had “learnt nothing since Chibok” and accusing leaders of failing to protect schoolchildren Business Hallmark.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has launched a pursuit operation in Kebbi, with the Chief of Army Staff ordering joint patrols with vigilante groups to track down the kidnappers The Guardian Nigeria News. Human rights groups, including HURIWA, have alleged lapses in military communication, while UNICEF has demanded the immediate release of the abducted girls The Guardian Nigeria News.
The outrage continues to spread across the country, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and stronger measures to secure schools. Analysts warn that the government’s attempt to shift blame to external partners risks undermining confidence in its ability to protect citizens.
