Fifty of the 315 children kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria's Niger State on Friday have escaped. The Christian Association of Nigeria reports they have been reunited with their families.
A major military-led search and rescue operation is under way for the remaining 265 children and 12 teachers who were abducted with them. Pope Leo XIV expressed 'immense sadness' over the incident and urged authorities to act swiftly for the release of the captives.
In response to the abduction, authorities in various Nigerian states ordered schools to close. The escape of the children has brought relief to their families, as the nation deals with a troubling pattern of mass kidnappings.
According to a Christian group involved, the escape occurred between Friday and Saturday. The kidnapped students and teachers had been taken from St Mary's School in Papiri. The number of abductees exceeds the infamous 2014 Chibok abduction where 276 girls were kidnapped.
The gunmen stormed the school at about 2:00 AM, taking the students. Niger state officials announced an immediate closure of all schools in the area, emphasizing this was not the time for casting blame. The military, local police, and vigilantes are conducting extensive searches in nearby forests.
These kidnappings, largely for ransom by criminal gangs, have become increasingly prevalent in Nigeria. Despite the government's efforts to outlaw ransom payments, the problem persists.
On Monday, an additional incident in Kebbi State saw 20 Muslim schoolgirls taken from a boarding school, prompting further closures of educational institutions in affected areas.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has postponed foreign trips to prioritize addressing these severe security concerns. Ongoing attacks and claims of religious persecution in Nigeria have drawn international attention, with pressure mounting on the government to act decisively.
