ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Recently, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Niger state, abducting 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers. This number was updated from an earlier count of 215 after a thorough verification process. The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed the new figures during a visit to the school.
Among those taken, 88 students were captured while trying to escape. The victims, ranging in age from 10 to 18, included both boys and girls. This tragic event comes just days after another incident in Kebbi state, where 25 schoolchildren were also kidnapped.
No group has claimed responsibility for these abductions yet. Officials have deployed tactical squads and local hunters to assist in the rescue efforts. Yohanna disputed the government’s claim that the school had reopened for studies, noting that schools were supposed to remain closed due to security threats.
“Families should stay calm and pray,” he urged.
Kidnappings are a serious concern in Nigeria, with schools becoming prime targets for armed groups. According to UNICEF, only 37% of schools in conflict-affected states have adequate systems to warn of threats. In response to the rising danger, Niger state has closed all schools until further notice, as announced by Governor Umar Bago.
These attacks have raised alarms internationally, with discussions occurring around the targeting of religious groups in Nigeria. U.S. politicians have expressed concern over the safety of Christians in the region, but attacks have also impacted Muslims, highlighting a broader issue of insecurity.
As authorities work to improve safety measures, it’s clear that more needs to be done to protect students. The recent spike in kidnappings emphasizes the urgent need for effective strategies to ensure secure learning environments across West Africa.
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