Nigeria, June 11 -- There comes a point in the life of every nation when repeated acts of criminality cease to be ordinary security challenges and become direct assaults on its very existence. Nigeria has reached that point with the persistent kidnapping of schoolchildren.

When criminals invade schools, abduct innocent pupils and students, and drag them into forests and hideouts, they are doing far more than committing crimes. They are attacking the nation's future. They are declaring war on education. They are threatening the hopes and aspirations of generations of young Nigerians whose only offence is their desire to learn.

More importantly, they are touching Nigeria's tail like that of a viper. And when a viper's tail is touched, i...