Fifty of the 315 children kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria's Niger State on Friday have escaped. The Christian Association of Nigeria says they have been reunited with their families.
A major military-led search and rescue operation is under way for the remaining 265 children and 12 teachers who were taken with them. Pope Leo XIV expressed immense sadness and urged authorities to act swiftly to secure the release of the abductees.
In light of the mass abduction, school closures have been ordered across multiple states including Kebbi, Niger, Katsina, Yobe, and Kwara. The escape has brought much-needed relief to families who have endured the anguish of uncertain fates for their children.
The children and teachers were abducted from St Mary's School in Papiri. This incident has drawn comparisons to the notorious Chibok abduction in 2014, where 276 girls were taken. Reports indicate that the battle for the release of all abducted victims is complicated by the ongoing issue of kidnapping for ransom by local criminal gangs.
Dominic Adamu, a parent, said, Everybody is weak... It took everybody by surprise, reflecting the community's shock. With military and police efforts ongoing, local officials stress the importance of safety, condemning the disregard for safety orders previously issued to schools.
The violence surrounding these abductions raises wider concerns about security in Nigeria, where banditry and extremist attacks have become increasingly common. Analysts note that the situation reflects deeper socio-economic tensions, with many incidents often tied to resource competition rather than strictly religious motivations.
The government continues to face pressure as incidents of mass kidnappings raise alarms both domestically and internationally, underscoring the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard schoolchildren in Nigeria.
