Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has joined several civil society organisations in condemning the persistent abduction of schoolchildren across Nigeria, warning that nationwide protests may be organised if urgent action is not taken to secure the release of victims still in captivity.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday to commemorate the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, Falz and other activists accused the Federal Government of failing to effectively tackle the recurring menace of school kidnappings, which they described as a grave threat to children’s rights and access to education.
The statement, co-signed by Hassan Soweto of the #EndBadGovernanceMovement and 13 other activists, alleged that at least 81 children remain in captivity across the country.
According to the activists, the victims include 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The affected schools were identified as Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele.
The signatories expressed concern over what they described as the government’s inadequate response to the abductions, stressing that the continued detention of children by kidnappers reflects growing insecurity and a failure to guarantee safe learning environments.
They called on security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of the victims, warning that failure to do so could trigger coordinated nationwide protests demanding accountability and decisive action.
The activists maintained that every child has a right to safety and education, urging the government to prioritise the protection of schools and communities vulnerable to attacks by criminal elements.
