Women groups and organizations in Plateau State have called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent action to address the growing insecurity and wave of kidnappings across Nigeria, especially the abduction of school children.
The women made the appeal during a solemn prayer meeting held at the Multi-Purpose Women Development Centre, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development Services Conference Hall, Tafawa Balewa Street, opposite Plateau Riders, Jos.
The gathering brought together women from various organizations, faith-based groups, and civil society networks who offered prayers for the safe return of kidnapped children and for wisdom and strength for political leaders and security agencies in tackling insecurity.
The meeting comes amid renewed concern over recent mass abductions in the country, including the May 15, 2026 abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the June 7 kidnapping of 39 persons in Magamin Diddi community of Zamfara State during a peace and reconciliation meeting.
Speaking during the event, Celina Ali, President of the National Council for Women Society, described the increasing incidents of kidnapping as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
“Today, we raise our voices in concern over the increasing cases of kidnapping across Nigeria, especially the abduction of innocent children, students, teachers, and citizens,” she said.
Ali lamented that many families now live in fear and uncertainty due to insecurity, stressing that children should feel safe in schools and communities rather than being exposed to violence and abduction.
She called on both the Federal and State Governments to strengthen security operations, improve intelligence gathering, adequately equip security agencies, and ensure that perpetrators of kidnapping are brought to justice.
“We also appeal for greater protection of schools, rural communities, and vulnerable groups who are most affected by these attacks. The safety of every Nigerian citizen must be treated as a national priority,” she added.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of HAG Foundation, HRH Hajiya Ramatu Abdul-Salam Agabi, said the women gathered to sympathize with mothers whose children had been kidnapped and to seek divine intervention for the victims’ safe return.
“We are here to plead with the government, the Federal Government, to please help us rescue our children. Our children are out there in the rain and in the sun. We are praying that they release our children,” she said.
She further prayed for wisdom for President Bola Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang in addressing insecurity across the country and the state.
State Coordinator of the Women Peace and Security Network (WPS-N) and Executive Director of Women and Girl-Child Rescue and Development Initiative (WGRDI), Ambassador Bridget Dakyes, said women in Plateau had organized themselves to cry out against the persistent kidnappings and attacks across Nigeria.
Dakyes recalled the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and expressed concern that mass kidnappings had now become frequent in many communities.
“As mothers, we don’t have another country except Nigeria. We must protect and preserve it,” she said.
She urged the government to equip security agencies adequately to enable them carry out effective operations to rescue kidnapped victims and prevent future attacks.
“We are tired of sleeping with one eye closed and one eye open. Our children are in school and we don’t know what becomes of them. Every morning we wake up with fear,” Dakyes lamented.
Country Chair of the Trefoil Guild, Nigeria Girl Guide Association, Grace Frank Ojobo, also joined in the appeal, saying Nigerian children deserved to grow up in a safe and secure environment.
“We are bringing our voices together to appeal to the government and all individuals that can put their voice to this matter. We need our children back and we want our land to be safe for every child and every citizen,” she said.
Ojobo acknowledged government efforts but insisted that more needed to be done urgently to end the cycle of kidnappings and insecurity across the country.
The women concluded the meeting with prayers for peace, security, and the safe return of all kidnapped victims across Nigeria.
