BREAKING NEWS: In a dramatic development, 50 of the 303 schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s School in Niger State, Nigeria, have successfully escaped captivity and are now reunited with their families. This news comes as a beacon of hope for distraught families following one of the largest school abductions in Nigeria’s history.
The escape occurred between Friday and Saturday, according to Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State and school proprietor. He confirmed the news through a statement, highlighting that the students, aged between 10 and 18, managed to flee individually during this harrowing ordeal.
Currently, 253 schoolchildren and 12 teachers remain in the hands of kidnappers. Yohanna expressed both relief and concern, saying, “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.”
The abduction unfolded on Friday when armed men raided the school located in the remote Papiri community of Niger State. The gunmen targeted the Catholic institution, but no group has yet claimed responsibility for this shocking attack. Authorities have since deployed tactical squads alongside local hunters to aid in the rescue efforts.
Details about the location of the remaining children are still unclear, and Nigeria’s military and police have not responded to inquiries from the media. This incident follows closely on the heels of another abduction in Kebbi State, where 25 schoolchildren were seized just days earlier, highlighting a troubling trend of school kidnappings in the region.
Niger State has taken immediate action in response to the crisis, shutting down all schools in the area to protect students and staff. The Nigerian government has also closed some federal colleges in conflict hotspots across the region.
This alarming trend of school kidnappings reflects a severe security crisis in Africa’s most populous nation, where armed gangs have increasingly targeted educational institutions as strategic objectives for ransom. The situation remains tense, with families anxiously awaiting further news on the fate of the remaining children.
As the rescue efforts continue, authorities urge the community to stay vigilant and supportive. This developing story underscores the urgent need for security improvements in the region, where the impact of such abductions reverberates through families and communities.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
