Listen to the article
Fifty students have escaped from a Nigerian school kidnapping that shocked the nation and prompted widespread school closures across Niger state, according to officials on Sunday. The students, between 10 and 18 years old, managed to flee individually over Friday and Saturday following the mass abduction from St. Mary’s Catholic School.
“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,” said the Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and the school’s proprietor. Officials confirmed that 253 students and 12 teachers remain in captivity, though details about how the children escaped or where the remaining hostages are being held were not disclosed.
The attack has drawn international condemnation, with Pope Leo XIV appealing for the immediate release of the children during Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square. “I feel great sorrow, especially for the many girls and boys who have been abducted and for their anguished families,” the pontiff said, urging authorities to take “appropriate and timely decisions to ensure their release.”
No group has claimed responsibility for the mass kidnapping, which represents one of the largest school abductions in Nigeria’s recent history. Authorities report that tactical squads and local hunters have been mobilized to rescue the remaining captives.
The incident has prompted Niger State to implement immediate emergency measures, shutting down all schools in the region. The federal government has also closed several colleges in conflict-prone areas as a precautionary measure, highlighting the severity of the security situation.
Friday’s attack at St. Mary’s came just days after another violent incident in Kebbi State, where armed assailants kidnapped 25 girls from a boarding school and killed at least one staff member. The search for those girls continues as security forces work on multiple fronts to address the growing crisis.
In a separate but related development, 38 worshippers kidnapped during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State were freed on Sunday. The attack, which occurred last Tuesday in Eruku town, had resulted in two deaths and multiple hostages. President Bola Tinubu attributed their release to “the efforts of security agencies,” though specific details of the operation were not provided.
The series of attacks on educational institutions and churches in Nigeria has heightened concerns about the safety of Christians in the country. U.S. President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” due to religious freedom violations, though Nigerian authorities have disputed this characterization.
“I’m really angry about it,” President Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday. “What’s happening in Nigeria is a disgrace.”
The recent spate of kidnappings highlights Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, particularly in the northern regions where armed groups have increasingly targeted schools for mass abductions. These attacks often aim to extract ransom payments or leverage political concessions from authorities.
Since 2014, when Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno state, school abductions have become an alarming trend across northern Nigeria. The tactic has since been adopted by various armed groups, including bandit organizations that primarily operate for financial gain rather than ideological motives.
Security experts note that the vast, remote nature of Nigeria’s northern territories makes it difficult for authorities to adequately protect all educational institutions, leaving many schools vulnerable to attack. The situation has created an education crisis in affected regions, with parents increasingly reluctant to send children to school due to security concerns.
As rescue operations continue for the remaining St. Mary’s hostages, the incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive security reform and enhanced protection measures for educational institutions across the country.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
This is a heartbreaking incident that highlights the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. The bravery of the students who escaped is commendable, but the plight of those still held captive is deeply concerning. I hope the authorities can resolve this crisis swiftly and safely.
It’s admirable that the students managed to escape, but the fact that over 250 remain in captivity is incredibly distressing. The perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable, and the government needs to take immediate action to secure the release of the hostages.
I agree, the government’s response will be crucial in this situation. They must work tirelessly to locate the captives and ensure their safe return to their families.
This is a deeply concerning situation. The fact that some students were able to escape is a small glimmer of hope, but the uncertainty around the remaining hostages is very worrying. I hope the authorities can locate and safely retrieve the captives as soon as possible.
You’re right, the safety of the students is the top priority now. The Nigerian government must work closely with local and international partners to ensure a swift and successful rescue operation.
This is a horrific incident that has shaken the nation. I’m relieved to hear that some of the students were able to escape, but my heart goes out to those who remain in captivity. The safety of children should always be the top priority.
Agreed. The authorities must act swiftly to secure the release of the remaining students and teachers. This type of violence against educational institutions is unacceptable.
It’s encouraging to see the Pope and the international community condemn this attack. Kidnappings of schoolchildren are a grave violation of human rights and must be stopped. I hope the Nigerian government can work to ensure the safe return of all the hostages.
Absolutely. The Nigerian government needs to take decisive action to address the security concerns in the region and prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.