Children’s Day: Benue Cleric Raises Alarm Over Rising School Kidnappings, Says Fear Keeping Millions Out of Classrooms

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

A cleric in Benue state, Rev. Jesse Tsekeh, has expressed concern over the growing insecurity in Nigeria, warning that the increasing abduction of school children is robbing many children of education and a safe future.

Tsekeh who was reacting to the commemorate this year’s Children’s Day celebration, said it was difficult to celebrate children wholeheartedly while many remain in kidnappers’ captivity and others live in constant fear of attacks on schools.

He noted that although schools and communities across the country marked the occasion with celebrations, many families were mourning or anxiously waiting for the return of abducted children.

According to him, insecurity has gradually turned schools from centres of hope and learning into targets of violent attacks, forcing parents to live in fear each time their children leave for school.

Rev. Jesse Tsekeh, who was writing from Jato-Aka, Turan, Kwande LGA, Benue State said “Today is meant to celebrate the innocence, dreams and future of children, but many children are no longer in classrooms or at home with their families. Some are being held by kidnappers while others are afraid to even attend school.”

Rev. Tsekeh cited reports by the Federal Ministry of Education showing that Nigeria currently has about 15 million out-of-school children, stressing that insecurity remains one of the major factors fueling the crisis.

He lamented that many victims of school abductions return traumatized and unable to fully continue with their studies, while several others remain unaccounted for.
The cleric also observed that school enrollment, particularly among girls in affected communities, has continued to decline due to fear of attacks and kidnappings.

“When children are denied access to education because of insecurity, the future of the nation itself is endangered. No society can develop when fear keeps its young population away from classrooms,” he added.

He called on government to intensify security around schools, respond swiftly to threats and ensure that perpetrators of kidnappings are prosecuted.

Rev. Tsekeh further urged communities, religious leaders and parents to collaborate in safeguarding schools and protecting children from violence.

“No child should have to choose between going to school and staying alive. Until every child is safe and free to learn without fear, Children’s Day celebrations remain incomplete,” he said.

He said “The abduction of schoolchildren leaves deep scars on families and communities. Many who escape return traumatized, unable to sleep or concentrate in class. Others remain missing, and their families live in endless pain and uncertainty. As a result, school enrollment has dropped in affected areas, especially among girls.

“When children are taken from school, it is not just their future that is stolen, but the future of the entire nation. A country cannot develop when its young people are kept out of classrooms by fear.

“If we want to celebrate Children’s Day with sincerity, the safety of every child must become a national priority. Government should strengthen security around schools, ensure a quick response to threats, and bring kidnappers to justice. Communities, religious leaders, and parents must also work together to protect schools and speak out against violence.”