Over 300 Students & Staff Abducted from Catholic School in Nigeria Amid Rising Insecurity

The serenity of St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community, Niger state, Nigeria, was shattered recently by a brazen attack that saw over 300 schoolchildren and several teachers abducted by armed gunmen. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the staggering toll, updating an initial count to 303 students and 12 staff members after a thorough verification process. Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN, revealed that an additional 88 students were captured while attempting to flee the harrowing assault. The abducted students, comprising both males and females, range in age from 10 to 18 years.

Pattern of Abductions and Official Responses

This large-scale kidnapping marks a troubling continuation of insecurity plaguing Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation. Just days prior, 25 schoolchildren were seized in Kebbi state's Maga town, a location 170 kilometers away, highlighting a disturbing pattern of targeting educational institutions. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for these latest abductions, prompting authorities to deploy tactical squads and local hunters in a desperate search and rescue operation.

Amidst the crisis, controversy arose regarding the state government's claims of the school reopening. Rev. Yohanna vehemently denied receiving any official directive for reopening, branding the assertion as "an afterthought and a way to shift blame," while urging affected families to remain calm and prayerful.

Systemic Vulnerabilities and State-wide Closures

School kidnappings have unfortunately become a grim hallmark of Nigeria's security challenges, with armed gangs often viewing schools as "strategic" targets designed to garner maximum attention. Data from UNICEF last year indicated that a mere 37% of schools across ten conflict-affected states possess early warning systems to detect potential threats, underscoring systemic vulnerabilities.

In response to the escalating crisis, Niger State Governor Umar Bago announced the immediate closure of all schools across the state. Following a meeting with security officials in Minna, the governor declared a "Christmas holiday for all schools in Niger state," emphasizing the decision was crucial for protecting lives and property until further notice.

Broader Context and International Attention

The surge in kidnappings coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump's allegations concerning targeted attacks against Christians in the West African nation. However, it's critical to note that violence in Nigeria indiscriminately affects both Christian and Muslim communities, as evidenced by the recent attack in Kebbi state, a predominantly Muslim area. The incident also occurred as Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was in the U.S., meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.