A teacher from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School in Niger State, Nigeria, has shared a harrowing account of last week’s mass abduction in which more than 300 students and staff were taken by armed men. The incident is one of the most serious school kidnappings Nigeria has seen in over ten years.

Teacher Recalls the Attack

Martha Mathias, who lives on the school campus with her family, said she and her husband were at home with their children in the early hours of Friday when armed individuals invaded the school grounds. According to Mathias, the attackers forced her husband outside and restrained him before taking him away.

Her youngest daughter became frightened during the chaos, and Mathias said the attackers tried to silence the child by threatening consequences if she continued crying. Mathias’ husband is among the 12 staff members and 253 students who are still missing following the Nov. 21 attack.

Some Students Escaped, Majority Still Missing

The Christian Association of Nigeria reported that about 50 students managed to escape, but the majority of the abducted children are still being held. Officials say efforts are underway to locate and rescue the remaining students and staff.

Parents have been gathering at the school daily, hoping for news. Emmanuel Bala, head of the school’s parent-teacher association, said he has not been able to confirm the safe return of any students who fled the attackers.

Another parent, identified only as Njinkonye, said she visited the school searching for her 10-year-old son but has not received any updates.

Wave of Kidnappings Across Several States

The St. Mary’s attack occurred during a week of multiple abductions across Nigeria:

• 25 girls were taken from a boarding school in Kebbi State.
• 38 worshippers were kidnapped during a church service in Kwara State.

President Bola Tinubu confirmed that the 38 victims taken in Kwara have been released. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to rescuing the remaining schoolchildren and improving national security.

Government Response and Rising Security Concerns

In response to the surge in attacks, Tinubu has ordered the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. Kidnappings for ransom have increased in recent years, especially since the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok. Remote schools across northern Nigeria continue to face closures due to security threats, impacting education access for thousands of students.

Authorities say the search for the missing St. Mary’s students and staff remains active, and families continue to wait anxiously for their safe return.