Fifty schoolchildren out of the 303 students kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger state, north-central Nigeria, have managed to flee their captors and reunite with their families, according to the school authority. The escape of the children, aged between 10 and 18, occurred individually over the span of Friday to Saturday, as confirmed by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and the school’s proprietor. Presently, 253 students and 12 teachers remain in captivity following the attack on St. Mary’s School in the remote Papiri community.
The abduction was carried out by armed assailants, and the exact location of the hostages and the circumstances of their escape remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions, prompting the deployment of tactical units and local hunters for the rescue operation. Despite the relief felt by the return of the escaped children, prayers continue for the safe release of the remaining victims.
This incident in Niger state occurred shortly after a similar abduction of 25 schoolchildren in Maga town, Kebbi state, just 170 kilometers away. Both states, situated in the northern part of Nigeria, have seen a rise in kidnapping incidents by armed groups seeking ransom payments. The school compound in Niger state, where the abduction took place, is closely linked to a primary school and consists of numerous classroom and dormitory buildings near a major road connecting Yelwa and Mokwa towns.
The recurring incidents of school kidnappings have heightened concerns about security in Nigeria, with schools becoming prime targets for armed groups aiming to gain attention. In response to the recent attack, Niger state has shut down all schools, and federal colleges in conflict zones have been closed by the government as a precautionary measure.
