Mirian Gom 
Former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana
ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has warned that armed groups behind the latest surge of school kidnappings in northern Nigeria may be abducting children as “human shields” in response to recent threats issued by United States President Donald Trump.
Gana made the remarks on Saturday during a reception in Abuja honouring the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, following his election as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation Council. The event also included a fundraising dinner for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations’ national secretariat.
Speaking after paying tribute to Adeniyi’s WCO elevation, Gana said the sudden escalation in school abductions suggested that bandits believe they may soon be targeted by foreign powers. “Somebody phoned me just before I came here to say that the bandits are taking the threat from the President of the United States seriously. It would appear they are now mobilising human shields,” he said.
He further explained that the geography of the attacks — particularly the movement of kidnappers into dense forest hideouts — indicated fears of possible aerial strikes. “Technology has gone to a point where you can be targeted from the air,” he added, urging the Nigerian government to deepen international cooperation.
Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, who was also present, confirmed that global attention on Nigeria’s security crisis is intensifying. He said foreign media organisations were already requesting updated figures on recent abductions in Kebbi and Niger states.
While reassuring that efforts were underway to secure the release of abducted students, Mohammed emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s “strong determination” to end the insecurity. He urged Nigerians to avoid amplifying negative portrayals of the country internationally.
The warnings come after multiple school abductions, including the kidnapping of at least 24 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.
About the Author
Oluwatobi Adu 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Koko Maxwella 