ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian military leaders met with President Bola Tinubu on Sunday after a series of kidnappings targeting schools and churches across the country.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted during an attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state, revising an earlier tally of 215.
Escape and Rescue Efforts
Major General Waidi Shaib, Chief of Army Staff, said 50 children escaped captivity and have been reunited with their families. He also reported “very good positive news” from Kwara state, where 38 worshippers abducted during a church attack were freed and returned home.
The Niger state school attack occurred just four days after 25 schoolchildren were kidnapped in Kebbi state’s Maga town, 170 kilometers away.
Security Response
Authorities say tactical squads and local hunters have been deployed to track the attackers. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions.
Insecurity in Nigeria
School kidnappings have become a hallmark of Nigeria’s insecurity, with armed gangs often targeting schools as “strategic” sites to draw attention. UNICEF reported last year that only 37% of schools in 10 conflict-hit states have early warning systems to detect threats.
The crisis comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of targeted killings against Christians in Nigeria. Attacks, however, continue to affect both Christians and Muslims.