Armed gunmen raid St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, kidnapping 303 students and 12 educators, sparking national crisis and intense rescue efforts.
Over 300 Nigerian students and 12 teachers were abducted by armed gunmen during a violent attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in the remote Papiri community of Niger State, north-central Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that a total of 303 students, aged between 10 and 18, and 12 educators were taken hostage in what is being described as one of the most severe school kidnappings in the country’s history. The initial reports of 215 abducted students were later revised upward following a thorough verification process.
The attack occurred early on a Friday morning, with gunmen storming the secondary school, forcing students into captivity. Some students attempted to flee amid the chaos, but an additional 88 were caught during their escape efforts. Fifty students have since managed to escape, reuniting with families, but as of the latest updates, 253 students and all 12 teachers remain in captivity.
This incident is the third mass abduction within a week in Nigeria, following a similar kidnapping of 25 students in Kebbi State and another attack in a predominantly Muslim area. Despite the severity and frequency of such abductions, no group has formally claimed responsibility for this latest attack.
The Niger State government responded by closing all schools indefinitely and declaring a Christmas holiday to protect students and staff while security forces, including specialized tactical squads and local hunters, were deployed to rescue the captives. The government acknowledged prior intelligence warnings about increasing threats in the region but criticized the school for reopening without official clearance, complicating security measures.
The abduction has drawn international attention and condemnation. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu canceled his planned trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to focus on the rescue efforts, delegating Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent the country instead. The Christian Association and religious leaders have called for calm and prayers amid the crisis.
Families in the community are distraught and desperate for news, sharing accounts of the chaos and uncertainty since the attack. The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, where militant groups and armed gangs frequently target schools, exacerbating fears around the safety of children and the disruption of education across the country.
Efforts continue as rescue teams work to secure the safe release of the remaining students and staff while the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to enhance protections to prevent future attacks on educational institutions.
