DOJO – At least 50 children have escaped captivity after more than 300 students were kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State, Nigeria, last week, local church authorities said. The students have reportedly been reunited with their families, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
What Happened
Gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in the village of Papiri early Friday morning, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers. Many of the pupils are as young as six, local reports indicate.
Bishop Bulus Bawa Yohanna, head of the Catholic school and CAN chairman for Niger State, confirmed that the children fled their captors between Friday and Saturday. “These 50 children escaped during or shortly after the abduction,” he told reporters.
Authorities, however, say they have not independently verified the escape reports. Police in the area are continuing to investigate, while military and local security forces conduct search operations for the remaining 253 students and 12 teachers still in captivity.
Wider Context
School kidnappings have become a frequent security concern in Nigeria, often used by armed groups to demand ransoms or gain attention. Since the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abduction, more than 1,500 students have been kidnapped across the country.
In response to recent attacks, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the recruitment of an additional 30,000 police officers and reassigned VIP protection units to focus on vulnerable areas.
The kidnapping in Niger State follows another school abduction in Kebbi State, where 25 students were taken on Monday, and a separate church abduction in Kwara State, in which 38 people were released after being held hostage.
Calls for Action
Pope Leo XIV issued a public appeal on Sunday, urging for the immediate release of the abducted children. “My heart is heavy for these young boys and girls and for their anguished families,” he said during the Angelus prayer.
Local parents in Papiri have expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of security presence following the attack. “It took everybody by surprise,” said Dominic Adamu, whose daughters attend the school but were not abducted. Another parent tearfully told reporters about her six- and 13-year-old nieces being among the missing students.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Niger State authorities and local vigilante groups are combing forests and rural routes believed to have been used by the kidnappers. Security agencies are warning schools to comply with closure directives during periods of heightened risk, though reports suggest St. Mary’s may not have followed all recommended safety measures.
The situation remains fluid, with families anxiously awaiting news of the remaining students and teachers.
