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 says they have been reunited with their families. A major military-led search and rescue operation is underway for the remaining 265 children and 12 teachers who were taken with them.
Authorities in several Nigerian states ordered schools to shut following the mass abduction in Niger and another smaller hostage-taking in Kebbi state on Monday when 20 pupils were kidnapped from a boarding school. In response to a surge in abductions, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu ordered the recruitment of an additional 30,000 police officers.
In another development, 38 people abducted from a church service in Kwara state last week were freed on Sunday, as reported by the state governor. Two individuals were killed during the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku.
News of the children’s escape has brought welcome relief for families and the country, which has been grappling with the fate of hundreds of schoolchildren kidnapped in Nigeria's northwest.
Tinubu also directed a redeployment of all police in Very Important Persons (VIP) protection services to focus on core duties, especially in remote areas prone to attacks. VIPs in need of protection will now rely on armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The pupils managed to escape between Friday and Saturday in what is described as a brave and risky attempt to flee their captors. The children and teachers were abducted from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger state. Local police reported armed men stormed the school around 02:00 (01:00 GMT), abducting students residing there.
The number of kidnapped individuals exceeds that of the infamous Chibok mass abduction in 2014, which drew international outcry. Niger state governor Mohammed Umaru Bongo announced the closure of all schools in the area, emphasizing that this was not a time for blame.
Pope Leo XIV expressed 'immense sadness' regarding the incident and urged for swift action from authorities. Amidst ongoing turmoil, many individuals, including distraught relatives, have expressed their anguish over the abductions.
The military, police, and local vigilantes are actively searching for the remaining children, combing through nearby forests and remote routes believed to have been utilized by the gunmen. Authorities claimed that St Mary's School had ignored an order to cease all boarding operations despite warnings of increased attack risks.
The abduction of individuals for ransom by armed criminals, known as bandits, remains a prevalent issue across various parts of Nigeria. Attempts to stop ransom payments have proved ineffective in reducing such crimes. Meanwhile, more than 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kebbi state, prompting closures of secondary schools and colleges in that region. In light of these incidents, President Tinubu postponed foreign travels to address the pressing security concerns.
The recent attacks also tie into broader discussions around potential religious persecution, particularly of Christians, amid ongoing violence in Nigeria. However, Nigerian officials have rebuffed claims of targeted attacks on Christians, asserting that terrorists frequently target individuals regardless of their faith.
