A recent incident at St. Mary’s School in Niger state, Nigeria, saw 303 students and 12 teachers being kidnapped by armed individuals, as reported by the Christian Association of Nigeria. The initial count of 215 students was revised following a thorough verification process led by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the chairman of the association’s Niger state chapter. Additionally, 88 students were captured while trying to flee during the attack, with the group comprising both male and female students aged between 10 and 18.
This abduction occurred in the remote Papiri community of Niger state, just days after a similar incident in Maga town in neighboring Kebbi state, where 25 students were taken. No specific group has claimed responsibility for these abductions, prompting the deployment of tactical squads and local hunters to aid in the rescue efforts.
Contradicting claims by the state government, Yohanna refuted reports that the school had resumed classes, emphasizing that there was no official communication allowing such a decision. He urged families to stay composed and prayerful amidst the ongoing situation.
School abductions have become synonymous with insecurity in Nigeria, with armed groups targeting educational institutions to gain attention. UNICEF highlighted the lack of early warning systems in conflict-affected regions, with only 37% of schools equipped to detect potential threats.
These incidents occur against a backdrop of allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria, though violence affects individuals from various religious backgrounds. Notably, the recent school attack in Kebbi state unfolded in a predominantly Muslim community.
As these events unfolded, Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was in the United States, meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.