Fifty out of the 303 schoolchildren who were kidnapped from a Catholic school in north-central Nigeria’s Niger state have managed to flee and reunite with their families, according to the school authorities. This development offers a sense of relief to families affected by one of the largest school abductions in Nigeria’s history.
The children, ranging from 10 to 18 years old, escaped at different times between Friday and Saturday, as stated by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and the school’s owner. Presently, 253 students and 12 teachers are still being held captive by the abductors, Yohanna confirmed.
The students and teachers were taken by gunmen during an attack on St. Mary’s School in the remote Papiri community of Niger state on Friday. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions, and efforts are underway to rescue the remaining hostages with the deployment of tactical squads and local hunters.
While the escape of the 50 children has brought some relief, the location where they were held and how they managed to escape remains unclear. The military and police in Nigeria have not provided immediate information in response to inquiries. Yohanna has urged continued prayers for the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
The incident in Niger state occurred shortly after a similar abduction of 25 schoolchildren in neighboring Kebbi state’s Maga town. Both states are situated in a northern region of Nigeria where armed gangs use kidnapping as a means to exert control in areas with limited government presence.
Satellite imagery reveals that the school compound in Niger state is adjacent to a primary school, comprising numerous classroom and dormitory buildings. It is situated near a major road connecting Yelwa and Mokwa towns. School kidnappings have become emblematic of insecurity in Nigeria, with armed groups targeting educational institutions to garner attention.
Following the attack, Niger state promptly closed down all schools, and the Nigerian government shut federal colleges in conflict-prone areas across the region to enhance security measures.