By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has described the recurring abduction and killing of schoolchildren in Nigeria as a ‘national disgrace’ and a ‘crime against humanity’, following recent attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno state, where terrorists killed a teacher and abducted scores of students and staff.
The attack has renewed fears over the safety of schools in insurgency-hit communities, where children and teachers remain vulnerable to abduction despite years of military operations.
In a statement by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the council, led by its President-General, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, condemned the attack in the strongest terms, saying terrorism remains one of Nigeria’s greatest security threats and requires a firm, coordinated national response.
“The Council is of the strong opinion that the unconscionable acts of kidnapping and murder of schoolchildren constitute a despicable crime against humanity. That these unfortunate incidents have continued to reoccur is a national disgrace that strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s future and must be stopped immediately,” Jimoh said.
The council said the latest attack followed the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same local government area. It also recalled the kidnapping of 49 pupils and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on the same day, noting that many of those victims are still being held.
It said the attackers appeared to have exploited Lassa’s market day to slip into the community before launching the assault, a tactic that underscored how terrorist groups continue to adapt while exploiting security gaps.
According to the NSCIA, “This demonstrates that terrorists continue to adapt their methods and exploit security gaps. Therefore, intelligence gathering, surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, and community-based early warning mechanisms must be significantly strengthened to reduce the vulnerability of our compatriots to terrorists’ attacks.”
The council also urged governments to embrace technology-driven security measures, pointing to the recent upgrade of the security architecture by the Enugu State Government.
It highlighted measures including an AI-powered Command and Control Centre, sophisticated surveillance drones and AI-enabled patrol vehicles designed to identify threats and track criminals in real time.
Meanwhile, the council praised troops of Operation HADIN KAI for their swift deployment of ground and air assets, which led to the rescue of some of the abducted students and teachers. It, however, insisted that the operation should continue until every remaining victim is safely reunited with their families.
Commending the security forces, the council said the operation “must not cease until every abducted child and member of staff are rescued alive and reunited with their families.”
It also paid tribute to a soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force who lost their lives during the rescue mission, describing their sacrifice as a powerful demonstration of courage and patriotism.
Reaffirming its position on violent extremism, the NSCIA said terrorist groups operating under the banners of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have no connection with Islam, arguing that their actions run contrary to the religion’s teachings on the sanctity of life, justice, mercy and the pursuit of knowledge.
“Boko Haram and ISWAP are enemies of Islam and humanity whose actions constitute a complete betrayal of the Qur’anic injunctions on the sanctity of human life, justice, mercy, and the pursuit of knowledge. Those who murder innocent people, abduct children, terrorise communities, and destroy schools cannot in any way claim to represent Islam or any recognised religious tradition.
“Nigeria must never surrender to terror. Those who wage war against innocent citizens must be relentlessly pursued, brought to justice, and made to face the full weight of the law to ensure lasting peace and security throughout the country,” the apex Muslim body added.
The council also conveyed its condolences to the government and people of Borno State, the management of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, the families of the abducted students, and everyone affected by the latest attack.
