'No school can be safe: When jihadists attack a school, the village has to be deserted'

Key Concepts

• Kidnappings in Nigeria: A widespread phenomenon, particularly affecting rural areas.
• Failure of Authorities: The primary driver, stemming from the Nigerian government's inability to protect its citizens.
• Multiple Motives: Ransom, assertion of power, and forced marriage for girls.
• Deteriorating Security: A worsening situation since 2014, with the emergence of new insurgent groups.
• Security Lapses: Identified as a key reason for successful abductions.
• Lack of Accountability: A significant issue regarding the protection of lives and property.
• Impact on Education: Over 20,000 schools closed, threatening education for millions.
• International Intervention: Debated, with concerns about its effectiveness and potential to exacerbate divisions.
• Ripple Effect: The crisis has implications for West Africa and the wider world.

Summary

This discussion with Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International for Nigeria, addresses the escalating phenomenon of kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly focusing on the abduction of schoolchildren.

The Phenomenon of Kidnappings

Isa Sanusi attributes the widespread kidnappings to an "utter failure of the Nigerian authorities to protect lives, especially in the rural areas." These abductions do not occur in cities but in vulnerable rural areas lacking governance and state authority. This vacuum allows armed individuals to exploit the weakness of the state.

Motives Behind Abductions

The motives for these abductions are varied:

• Ransom: The most common reason.
• Assertion of Power: To demonstrate their ability to act with impunity.
• Forced Marriage: Specifically for girls, leading to forced marriages and children. Those who resist are often killed, injured, or disabled.

Sanusi emphasizes that the core issue is the government's inability to protect its citizens and rural communities, making schools inherently unsafe as they are located within these vulnerable areas.

Historical Context and Deterioration of Security

The discussion draws a parallel to the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls' kidnapping, a widely publicized event that sparked international outcry and the "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign. Sanusi states that the situation has deteriorated since then. In 2014, there was primarily one known insurgent group, Boko Haram. Now, there are "like three or four other insurgent groups carrying heavy arms and operating across northern Nigeria." This multiplication of groups indicates a worsening security landscape.

Amnesty International's investigations into the Chibok abductions (2014) and the Dachi school abduction in Yobe State (2018) revealed "security lapses" as the primary reason for the gunmen's success. Sanusi asserts that these lapses persist, highlighting a lack of accountability for securing lives and property in Nigeria. He warns that if this continues, "education will be impossible for millions and millions of children in northern Nigeria."

International Reactions and Their Impact

The intervention of Donald Trump, who framed the issue as the "persecution of Christians," is discussed. Sanusi clarifies that while the Islamist insurgency is prevalent in the north, the abductions affect both Muslim and Christian children, as evidenced by the recent rescue of mostly Muslim children.

Sanusi expresses skepticism about the direct impact of Trump's statements on the Nigerian President. However, he suggests that immediately following these "reckless statements by American politicians," there was a "spate of attacks multiplying." He believes these pronouncements, which he describes as "not based on facts" and "exaggerated," contribute to "creating more division and more mistrust among Nigerians." This division, in turn, aids the armed groups, allowing them to carry out their activities "without any hindrance."

The Role of the Wider World

While Nigeria is a sovereign nation with the capacity to address its issues, Sanusi believes international organizations and foreign countries can offer assistance. He states that the Nigerian government is "overwhelmed" by the current security challenges, which are "overwhelming." He argues that "no country can be able to handle these things effectively no matter how resourceful it is."

Therefore, Sanusi stresses the importance of global attention to the situation in Nigeria, warning of "ripple effects on the whole of West Africa and the rest of the world." He points to the emergence of new insurgent groups like "Lakurawa" and "Mammuda," indicating the growing threat. The opportunity presented by child abductions incentivizes these criminal gangs and insurgents to continue their activities.

Devastating Impact on Education

The consequence of these abductions is severe: "over 20,000 schools have been closed down and some of them may not open at all." This has a "huge impact," and Sanusi reiterates that "the world should be paying attention."

Conclusion

The interview concludes with a stark assessment of the security crisis in Nigeria, driven by governmental failure and exploited by various armed groups with diverse motives. The situation is deteriorating, with significant implications for education and regional stability, necessitating greater international awareness and potential support.