By: Manoah Kikekon
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| US lawmaker, Riley Moore. Photo: AFP |
US Congressman Riley Moore has publicly condemned the brazen attack and mass abduction of students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. Describing the incident as "heartbreaking," the lawmaker declared that “enough is enough,” pointing to a disturbing pattern of escalating violence targeting Christian communities in Nigeria.
The assault on the school in Papiri, which occurred early Friday, marks the second mass school kidnapping to shake the nation within a single week, raising serious concerns about the safety of educational institutions.
In a strong statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Rep. Moore, who serves on the influential House Appropriations Committee, urged for intensified efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations. “We must do everything we can to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ,” he wrote, emphasizing the need for concrete measures over mere condemnation.
This condemnation arrives amidst a wave of recent attacks and kidnappings in Northern Nigeria, which have drawn increasing international alarm and calls for decisive intervention to secure schools and local communities.
The abduction in Niger State follows a strikingly similar incident just days prior in Kebbi State, where gunmen invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town and kidnapped at least two dozen students. According to local authorities, the attackers arrived in the early hours, using gunfire to create panic before taking the girls into a remote bush area.
This persistent crisis has significant international ramifications. Earlier this month, the United States redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to severe violations of religious freedom. This official label comes with the potential for sanctions, including the withholding of U.S. aid, if the situation does not improve.
In response, the Nigerian Federal Government has pushed back against the designation, contending that it relies on "faulty data." Officials have emphasized that international cooperation, rather than threats, is the most effective path toward combating the violence and ensuring the safety of all citizens.