Mass Abduction in Nigeria: Fifty Schoolchildren Escape, Hundreds Still Missing
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In a dramatic turn of events, fifty students from a Catholic school in Nigeria’s Niger state have managed to escape captivity following their abduction last week. The school, St. Mary’s in the rural Papiri community, was the scene of a violent raid by armed gunmen, resulting in one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent memory. However, 253 children and 12 teachers remain unaccounted for.
Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state, confirmed that the escapees, aged 10 to 18, returned home individually over the course of Friday and Saturday. “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” Yohanna urged in a statement, as reported by CBS News.
Currently, the whereabouts of the remaining hostages are unknown, and neither police nor military officials have provided updates on the rescue efforts. The mass abduction has yet to be claimed by any group, and the incident prompted the Niger state government to close all schools starting Saturday.
Pope Leo XIV addressed the situation during a mass in St. Peter’s Square, expressing his sorrow and calling for the immediate release of all captives. This recent attack follows closely on the heels of another kidnapping of 25 students in the nearby Kebbi state, marking a disturbing trend of increased school abductions in Nigeria’s northern regions.
President Bola Tinubu has vowed to secure the safe return of all kidnapped individuals, asserting in a statement, “Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”
According to Open Doors, a U.S.-based watchdog, the problem of kidnapping in Nigeria has become a significant source of funding for Islamist groups. The organization reports that over 20,000 people were abducted between 2019 and 2023, with Christians and religious leaders often targeted for higher ransoms. Open Doors has repeatedly highlighted the peril faced by Christians in Nigeria, noting that more Christians are murdered there annually than in any other country.
U.S. Representative Riley Moore has taken a stance against this violence, introducing a congressional resolution decrying the persecution of Christians. Supported by over 20 House Republicans, the resolution calls for urgent U.S. action to hold perpetrators accountable and presses for the repeal of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws. This comes after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to the ongoing violence.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
