More than 200 students and teachers were kidnapped on Friday after gunmen attacked a Catholic school in northwest Nigeria, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). This incident is one of the worst school kidnappings in the country in recent years and comes during a week filled with similar attacks.
The kidnapping happened at St. Mary’s School in Niger State. CAN officials reported that at least 227 people—215 students and pupils plus 12 teachers—were taken. Some students were able to escape, but details about how many or their condition were not shared.
Authorities confirmed the attack but did not immediately give exact numbers. This kidnapping is the largest since March 2024, when more than 200 students were abducted in Kaduna.
Nigeria’s security situation is under intense global attention, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. might take quick military action if Nigeria fails to stop the killing of Christians. In a recent meeting, U.S. and Nigerian officials discussed issues of Christian persecution, although Nigeria insists that Trump’s claims are exaggerated.
Police say security forces are searching nearby forests in hopes of rescuing the abducted students and teachers. The Niger State government also revealed that the Catholic school had ignored a directive to close boarding facilities because of intelligence warnings about possible attacks.
This kidnapping is one of several violent incidents in the region this week. On Monday, 25 schoolgirls were abducted from a boarding school in Kebbi State. In another attack in Kwara State, gunmen kidnapped 38 church worshippers and demanded a ransom of 100 million naira (about USD 69,000) for each person.
The rise in attacks forced President Bola Tinubu to cancel planned trips to South Africa and Angola, where he was expected at major international summits.
The government has not yet given updates on rescue efforts, but families and communities are desperately waiting for news as kidnappings continue to plague the region.
