On November 21, 2025, gunmen abducted 315 individuals—including 303 students and 12 teachers—from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria, marking one of the country’s largest mass kidnappings in recent years. The attack occurred around 2 a.m. when armed assailants stormed the boarding school, catching everyone off guard. Among the abducted students were boys and girls aged between 10 and 18, with the total number of victims surpassing the infamous 2014 Chibok abduction.The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the figures after a thorough headcount and verification exercise, noting that 88 additional students were captured as they tried to escape initially.
This cruel scale of abduction has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and reignited concerns about the increasing insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest and central regions, where armed gangs frequently target educational institutions for ransom and terror.In a significant development, 50 of the abducted children have courageously escaped captivity between Friday and Saturday following the mass kidnapping. These escapees have been reunited with their families, bringing some relief amid the ongoing crisis. Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger State, urged continued prayers and efforts for the safe return of the remaining 253 students and 12 teachers who are still held captive. Security forces including military, police, and local vigilante groups are combing nearby forests and remote paths in a robust effort to locate and rescue the remaining hostages.
The abduction reflects a systemic security failure: the school reportedly ignored governmental warnings to close boarding facilities despite intelligence indicating heightened threats in the region. This oversight exposed students to “avoidable risk,” according to officials, fueling public outrage and calls for stronger protective measures. Niger State’s governor, Mohammed Umaru Bongo, announced the closure of all schools in the vicinity as a precaution and stressed that this is “not a time for blame” but rather for unified action to prevent future tragedies.
Experts and eyewitnesses emphasize the devastating impact such kidnappings have on communities, eroding trust in educational access and creating widespread fear. Dominic Adamu, a parent whose daughters escaped the attack, described the emotional toll on families: “Everybody is weak… it took everybody by surprise.” A tearful relative of kidnapped children expressed a heartfelt plea: “I just want them to come home”.This mass abduction highlights Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with armed groups that exploit vulnerabilities in rural areas for ransom and political leverage, complicating efforts to secure safe education for children.
As authorities intensify search operations, the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure domestically and internationally to protect students and dismantle the networks responsible for these heinous acts. Immediate priorities include the rescue of remaining hostages, bolstered security protocols in schools, and comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of the violence. The nation and the world watch closely as the fate of over 260 hostages hangs in the balance.
