Mass Abduction Shakes Nigeria: 315 Children and Staff Kidnapped from School

Sat Nov 22 2025 16:37:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a shocking event, over 300 children and staff members were abducted from St Mary's School in Niger State, Nigeria, marking one of the most severe mass kidnappings in the country's history. The Christian community is demanding urgent action as the nation grapples with a wave of insecurity.

More than 300 individuals were kidnapped from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, significantly surpassing previous abduction cases. This troubling event, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, has prompted a security response from local authorities as the community demands stronger measures to protect children and schools from the threats posed by armed groups. The Nigerian government is facing rising unrest amidst increasing criminal activities.

More than 300 children and staff are now thought to have been kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, making it one of the worst mass abductions the country has seen.

The Christian Association of Nigeria said 303 students and 12 teachers were taken from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger State - a substantial increase from initial estimates.

The kidnapping comes amid a surge of attacks by armed groups. The revised number surpasses the 276 abducted during the infamous Chibok kidnappings of 2014.

Local police reported that armed men stormed the school around 02:00 local time on Friday morning, abducting students who were staying on the premises. Residents expressed shock and concern, with one father stating that the community had been caught off guard.

Authorities confirmed that security agencies are actively searching the forests in hopes of rescuing the abducted students. The number of abducted individuals represents nearly half of the school's student population.

Following intelligence warnings about a heightened risk of attacks, Niger state authorities criticized the school for disregarding an order to close all boarding facilities, exposing students and staff to unnecessary danger.

This incident is part of a disturbing trend of mass abductions in Nigeria as criminal gangs, referred to as 'bandits', increasingly target schools. Just days prior, over 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kebbi state, marking the third such attack in a week.

In light of the escalating insecurity, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has postponed international trips to address concerns domestically. The federal government has ordered the shutdown of over 40 federal colleges as public safety remains a priority amidst rising fear and anger among citizens.

The kidnapping follows controversial claims in the U.S. regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, which the Nigerian government has dismissed as a gross misrepresentation of reality, asserting that terrorist attacks affect all faiths, not just one.