Fifty out of the 303 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic school in north-central Nigeria’s Niger state have managed to escape and reunite with their families, as confirmed by the school authority on Sunday. This development has brought some relief to distressed families following one of the largest school abductions in Nigeria’s history.
According to Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and the school’s proprietor, the escaped schoolchildren, ranging from 10 to 18 years old, fled individually between Friday and Saturday. Currently, 253 students and 12 teachers remain in captivity, as stated by Yohanna.
The abduction took place when armed gunmen attacked St. Mary’s School in the remote Papiri community of Niger state on Friday. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions yet, and authorities have deployed tactical squads and local hunters in rescue efforts.
While the whereabouts of the remaining kidnapped children are unclear, Nigeria’s military and police have not provided immediate responses to inquiries. The return of the escaped children has brought some relief, but prayers are requested for the safe rescue of the remaining victims, emphasized Yohanna.
The incident in Niger state occurred just days after a similar abduction of 25 schoolchildren in Maga town, Kebbi state, located 170 kilometers away. Both states, situated in Nigeria’s northern region, have experienced a rise in kidnapping incidents by armed gangs seeking ransom, exploiting areas with limited government presence.
Satellite images reveal that the school compound in Niger state is linked to a primary school, boasting over 50 classroom and dormitory buildings. School kidnappings have become symbolic of insecurity in Nigeria, with armed groups targeting schools to gain attention. Following the attack, Niger state promptly closed all schools, and the Nigerian government shut down some federal colleges in conflict-prone regions across the country.
