In a shocking attack on St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, over 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted by armed gunmen on Friday, November 21, 2025, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The number of victims was revised from an earlier estimate of 215 following a verification exercise.

This latest incident has heightened concerns over school security in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, where kidnappings of students have become increasingly frequent in recent years.

Details of the Attack

The abduction occurred at the St Mary’s school complex in Papiri town, which includes an adjacent primary school and over 50 buildings, including classrooms and dormitories. Residents described scenes of panic as children were taken, and families scrambled to locate their loved ones.

Dauda Chekula, 62, reported that four of his grandchildren, aged seven to ten, were among the victims. “We don’t know what is happening now, because we have not heard anything since this morning. The children who escaped have scattered, and the only information we are getting is that the attackers are still moving with the remaining children into the bush,” he said.

Authorities have deployed tactical squads along with local hunters to track the kidnappers and rescue the children. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Context: Rising Wave of School Abductions

This attack comes just days after 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a secondary school in Maga town, Kebbi State, located approximately 170 km from Papiri. One girl managed to escape, but 24 remain missing. These incidents reflect a disturbing trend of armed groups targeting schools in northern and central Nigeria, sparking national and international concern.

The Nigerian government noted that intelligence warnings of increased threats in the area had been received prior to the attack. Authorities criticized the school for reopening without clearance from the state government, which may have exposed pupils and staff to avoidable risks.

National and International Response

President Bola Tinubu canceled his planned trip to the G20 summit in South Africa, delegating Vice President Kashim Shettima to attend in his place. Security agencies are coordinating efforts to locate the abducted students and teachers, while parents and local communities are assisting in search operations.

The kidnappings have also sparked political debates abroad. Former US President Donald Trump threatened military action, alleging targeted attacks against Nigeria’s Christian population—a claim disputed by the Nigerian government, which states that Muslims are equally affected by violence perpetrated by armed groups.

Ongoing Security Concerns

The incident underscores the persistent challenges of ensuring school safety in Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted educational institutions. Authorities are urging schools to coordinate with local security forces and implement stricter protective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The international community has expressed solidarity with Nigeria, calling for swift action to rescue the abducted children and prevent further attacks.