resolution motion, 15 December 2025
On mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria, including from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria, including from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri
Motion B-10-2025-0577 · (2025/3029(RSP))
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Maria Guzenina
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria, including from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, and calls for their immediate release and for investigations into the abductions. It urges Nigerian authorities to protect schools, implement the Safe Schools Declaration, and address underlying insecurity and food insecurity.
Key points
- Deplores the kidnapping of children and teachers in Nigeria and condemns the recent abductions, expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
- Calls for the immediate release of all schoolchildren and teachers currently held captive.
- Urges Nigerian authorities to launch investigations into the abductions and bring the perpetrators to justice.
- Calls on federal and regional governments in Nigeria to protect schools from attack and work with international partners to implement the Safe Schools Declaration.
- Notes that only around 37% of schools in conflict-affected states have early warning systems and urges state authorities to accelerate their establishment.
- Expresses concern at temporary school shutdowns due to lack of resources and urges Nigerian authorities to minimise suspensions to safeguard access to education.
- Underlines that conflict over scarce resources, poverty, and lack of livelihoods drive insecurity and violence, and urges the international community to increase humanitarian assistance.
Who is affected
- Schoolchildren and teachers in Nigeria, particularly those abducted from schools.
- Nigerian federal and regional governments, which are urged to protect schools and implement the Safe Schools Declaration.
- International community, which is urged to increase humanitarian assistance.
Figures and deadlines
- approximately 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri on 21 November 2025
- over 400 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been abducted in north-central Nigeria since mid-November 2025
- around 37% of schools in conflict-affected states have an early warning system
- nearly 35 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity in Nigeria in 2026
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 19 paragraphs
B100577/2025
European Parliament resolution on mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria, including from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri
(2025/3029(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas on 21 November 2025 approximately 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted by gunmen from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village in north-central Nigeria; whereas the majority of the children remain missing;
whereas the kidnapping is the latest in a series of school abductions in Nigeria; whereas shortly before the Papiri abduction, 25 girls were kidnapped from a predominantly Muslim school in Kebbi state; whereas several days later 12 girls were kidnapped in Borno state;
whereas over 400 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been abducted in north-central Nigeria since mid-November 2025; whereas the majority of them have not been released;
whereas the mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria has been largely perpetuated by criminal gangs seeking ransom payments; whereas the abductions have taken place across several states in the country, and have targeted both Christian and Muslim schools; whereas the attacks are leading to widespread fear and instability;
whereas in 2015 the Nigerian government endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration, containing recommendations for the protection of schools and universities in conflict situations;
whereas abductions are also being perpetrated by armed gangs in places of worship and homes; whereas this is taking place within the context of an extremely volatile security situation in northern Nigeria, with Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province waging an insurgency in the north-east, and intense deadly clashes between herders and farmers in the Middle Belt region;
Deplores the kidnapping of children and teachers in Nigeria; condemns the recent abductions and expresses its solidarity with the schoolchildren, their families, and those risking their lives to provide education;
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Calls for the immediate release of all schoolchildren and teachers currently held captive;
Urges the Nigerian authorities to launch investigations into the abductions and bring the perpetrators to justice;
Calls on the federal and regional governments in Nigeria to take concrete steps to protect schools from attack, and work with international partners to fully implement the provisions of the Safe Schools Declaration;
Notes that only around 37% of schools in conflict-affected states have an early warning system to identify threats; urges state authorities to accelerate the establishment of these systems;
Expresses concern at the temporary shutdown of schools in affected areas due to lack of resources to safeguard security; urges the Nigerian authorities to minimise any suspension to avoid undue disruption for children and safeguard access to education;
Underlines that conflict over access to scarce resources, endemic poverty, and lack of opportunities to stable livelihoods is driving insecurity and fuelling violence in northern Nigeria; expresses deep concern that nearly 35 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity in Nigeria in 2026; urges the international community to increase humanitarian assistance;
Instruct its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the HR/VP, and the Government and Parliament of Nigeria.