The families of Papiri had long called for security forces to protect their children at the school in northern Nigeria where more than 300 pupils were kidnapped by gunmen last week, in one of the country's worst mass abductions.

In Nigeria, the bishops’ conference says conditions in the African country are giving credence to allegations of “genocide” in some parts of the nation.

Nigeria declared security emergency after a recent spate of mass abductions of students and Christian worshipers that forced the West African nation to shut down some schools.

The World Food Programme says a spike in attacks by militants across northern Nigeria is expected to result in Africa's worst levels of severe hunger next year

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered the army and police to recruit thousands of additional personnel to tackle worsening armed violence across the country.

Agberen issued the warning in a statement on Thursday, stressing that any policy permitting gun ownership must come with strict regulations and effective enforcement, otherwise it risks tearing the society further apart.

The Federal Government on Thursday condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as “a serious threat to democracy and regional stability.” The government’s position was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

The children were among the more than 300 students and teachers taken when gunmen stormed the Catholic school in Niger state.

Nicki Minaj responded to the mass kidnapping of 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary's School in Nigeria with prayer for hostages' safe return.

D'Tigress star Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah is at the peak of her powers after a third straight AfroBasket triumph with Nigeria, but her next mission is a championship with new team Derthona Basket Scrivia.

But Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna's accusation was disputed by the state's police chief, who accused the school of failing to co-operate with its search and rescue operations. It is unclear who abducted the children from St Mary's school in Papiri village, but criminal gangs have been involved in kidnappings for ransom across Nigeria.