Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)

I raise the urgent matter of the mass abduction of children from St. Mary's School in the village of Papiri in northern Nigeria. More than 300 pupils, both primary and secondary school children, were taken by armed groups, who spent hours ransacking the school compound before forcing the children into the bush. Families in Papiri had repeatedly appealed to the Nigerian security forces for protection but no meaningful response was provided. This does not seem to be a conflict between Christians and Muslims. Rather, it seems to reflect the Nigerian Government's persistent failure to protect its children from criminal gangs. Given that St. Mary's School has a long and historic connection with Ireland, there is even more of a responsibility on the Minister for foreign affairs to engage with the Nigerian Government to ensure these children are returned safely.Some 50 children have managed to escape. This have given parents hope that their child could be safely returned too. Some families have seen all of their children taken in this abduction. Kidnapping for ransom has become endemic. The international community must not look away. More than 1,500 Nigerian children have been abducted since 2014. Even if Nigeria is not reaching out to us for help, we still have a responsibility to work with our EU partners and offer any support we can. Time is of the essence here. Let us not forget that we are talking about young children. They will be traumatised. I would like to know what the Irish Government is doing to ensure the immediate safe return of these children. I urge the Minister for foreign affairs to engage with the Nigerian Government and other EU member states.