Fifty out of the 303 schoolchildren who were kidnapped from a Catholic school in north-central Nigeria’s Niger state have managed to flee from captivity and reunite with their families, as confirmed by the school authority on Sunday. The escape of these children, aged between 10 and 18, occurred individually over the span of Friday to Saturday, according to the Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who serves as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and is also the school’s proprietor. Currently, a total of 253 schoolchildren and 12 teachers remain in custody of the kidnappers, revealed Yohanna in a statement.
The abductions took place when gunmen attacked St. Mary’s School in the remote Papiri community of Niger state on Friday. Despite the incident, no group has claimed responsibility for the abductions, and efforts are underway to rescue the remaining victims. Local authorities have deployed tactical squads and enlisted the help of local hunters to aid in the rescue operation.
The escape of the 50 children has brought some relief, but there is continued concern for the safety and return of those still held captive. The exact location where the children were kept and how they managed to escape remains unclear. The military and police in Nigeria have yet to provide details in response to inquiries regarding the situation.
The school attack in Niger state occurred shortly after a similar incident in Kebbi state’s Maga town, where 25 schoolchildren were abducted. Both states, located in the northern region of Nigeria, have been targeted by armed gangs resorting to kidnapping for ransom as a means of asserting control in areas with limited government presence and security.
The school compound in Niger state, as observed in satellite images, is connected to a nearby primary school and comprises over 50 classroom and dormitory structures. Situated close to a major road linking Yelwa and Mokwa towns, the school compound’s layout and location have come under scrutiny following the recent abductions.
The trend of school kidnappings has exacerbated concerns over security in Nigeria, with armed groups targeting educational institutions to attract attention and exert influence. In response to the escalating threats, Niger state swiftly closed down all schools following the attack, while federal colleges in conflict-prone regions across the country were also shut down by the government.