Fifty children have escaped after being abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria, providing a glimmer of hope amid one of the country’s worst mass kidnappings. The incident has prompted a massive search operation and heightened security measures across several states.
Gunmen stormed St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State, early Friday morning, abducting 315 students and 12 teachers in a coordinated attack. The assailants, identified as armed bandits, transported the hostages into remote forest areas, initiating an intensive military-led rescue mission. Local police reported that the school was raided around 2:00 AM local time, disregarding prior intelligence warnings about potential threats in the region.
Between Friday and Saturday, 50 of the kidnapped children successfully escaped from their captors in a daring and perilous effort. The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that these students have been reunited with their families, alleviating some of the anguish felt by the community. Nonetheless, 265 children and 12 teachers remain missing, with ongoing searches focused on forested territories believed to be used by the kidnappers.
In response to this and other recent abductions, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has authorized the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and redirected VIP protection units to enhance security in vulnerable areas. Authorities in multiple states, including Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Yobe, and Kwara, have ordered school closures to prevent further incidents, disrupting education for countless students. These actions reflect the government’s urgent attempt to tackle the escalating insecurity in the northwest.
This kidnapping is part of a larger trend of ransom-driven abductions by criminal gangs, commonly referred to as bandits, who have capitalized on the region’s instability. Although ransom payments are illegal, they persist, perpetuating the cycle of violence. Earlier in the week, 20 schoolgirls were taken from a boarding school in Kebbi, and 38 individuals abducted from a church in Kwara were released, underscoring the frequency of such events.
International concern has grown, with Pope Leo XIV appealing for the immediate release of the hostages and calling on Nigerian authorities to act decisively. The situation has also attracted commentary from global figures, including former US President Donald Trump, who has alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria—a claim the Nigerian government rejects, emphasizing that extremists target all communities indiscriminately.
The abduction recalls the 2014 Chibok tragedy, where Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls, many of whom are still unaccounted for. Experts suggest that while religious dynamics are often highlighted, many conflicts stem from resource competition rather than faith-based motives. This crisis highlights the critical need for comprehensive security reforms and development initiatives in affected regions.
As rescue efforts persist in challenging terrains, the families of the remaining captives endure an agonizing wait. The Nigerian government is under increasing pressure to secure the hostages’ freedom and implement sustainable solutions to end the cycle of abductions, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.
