The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on all Christian-based schools located on the outskirts of the state to shut down temporarily or switch to day school operations to protect students from bandit attacks. The warning comes as insecurity worsens across northern Nigeria, with the recent abductions of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States raising fresh concerns about the safety of educational institutions.
Rev. Caleb Ma’aji, the state chairman of CAN, made the appeal in a statement on Friday, saying the situation in the country had become too dangerous for schools in vulnerable locations to operate as boarding institutions. He warned that schools—especially those in rural areas—are now soft targets for armed bandits who have continued to attack communities, kidnap students and disrupt academic activities.
The call by CAN follows the latest abductions of students and teachers in Kebbi and Niger States, where armed groups stormed schools, seized pupils in large numbers and escaped with them into nearby forests. These incidents have continued a disturbing trend that began in 2014 with the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram.
Since then, attacks on schools have spread across the North-West and North-Central regions, with bandits increasingly targeting boarding institutions where large groups of students can be taken at once. In many cases, schools have been forced to shut down indefinitely, leaving thousands of children out of the classroom.
Rev. Ma’aji said the renewed wave of attacks shows that both public and private institutions must now take extra steps to secure their students.
According to the CAN chairman, Christian school owners must prioritise safety over convenience or financial considerations. He advised that all schools in rural areas should either close temporarily or increase security measures significantly.
“Alternatively, if need be, schools that are on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis should be closed down for now to ensure the safety of the students until the security situation improves in the country,” he said.
He emphasised that this is not a decision schools should delay, especially in the face of bandits becoming more daring and unpredictable in their operations.
While Kaduna remains one of the states most affected by school kidnappings—along with Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi and Katsina—the insecurity affecting education is a national crisis. In many states, parents are now afraid to send their children to school, and some schools have recorded significant drops in attendance.
Rev. Ma’aji also expressed sympathy to the governments and people of Kebbi and Niger States following the recent abductions. His message reflected the sense of shock and grief felt across the country as more families struggle to cope with the trauma of losing children to bandits.
He offered prayers for the safe return of all abducted students and teachers, urging parents not to lose hope.
He encouraged families to “look unto the Creator for the release of all children and others who are in the hands of abductors,” noting that many parents are going through emotional distress as they await news of their missing children.
In his statement, the CAN chairman urged the government to do more to secure schools nationwide. He warned that the current trend of attacks cannot continue unchecked.
“Government at all levels must take necessary steps towards ensuring the safety of all Nigerians,” he said. “The renewed attacks by bandits in different parts of the country are disturbing and alarming.”
Ma’aji stressed that no country can progress when its children live in fear, and when basic activities such as attending school have become life-threatening.
He insisted that Nigeria urgently needs stronger security measures, better coordination among security agencies and more investment in intelligence gathering. Without these, he warned, bandits will continue to operate freely in many rural communities.
The CAN chairman concluded by reminding the government that Nigerians deserve a safe environment where they can go about their daily activities without fear.
“Nigerians deserve a conducive environment to go about their businesses for a better standard of living and to showcase their potentials,” he said.
Residents in Kaduna and other northern states say they now live with constant fear due to kidnappings, killings and attacks that happen almost weekly. Many communities have also suffered from the destruction of farms, markets and homes, creating both security and economic crises.
Education continues to be one of the biggest casualties of insecurity in Nigeria. Many public and private schools already operate under tight safety restrictions, while others have hired private security or relocated students to safer areas. But experts say these measures are not enough without a national plan to protect learning environments.
CAN’s call is expected to spark reactions from school owners, parents and government officials who may have to consider temporary closures or major restructuring of their boarding systems.
For now, the organization insists that until the security situation improves, schools located in unsafe areas must put the lives of students first.
