Christian Group: 315 Students and Teachers Abducted in Nigerian School Mass Kidnapping

Gunmen storm St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State — marking another major school abduction in Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

What Happened in Niger State

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has reported that 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, in a brazen raid by heavily armed gunmen.

CAN’s updated figure comes after a verification exercise led by Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who said that around 88 students were seized while trying to flee. This is not an isolated incident — it follows closely on the heels of another kidnapping, where 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State earlier this week.

This mass abduction has triggered widespread alarm in Nigeria and raised serious questions about the country’s ability to ensure the safety of children in school.

Why This Is Deepening Nigeria’s Security Crisis

• With nearly half the students at St. Mary’s reportedly taken (315 out of ~629), the attack highlights the scale and ruthlessness of the kidnappers.
• The Niger State government responded by shutting down several schools, citing safety risks.
• At the national level, President Bola Tinubu cancelled foreign engagements, calling the abduction a top security priority.

Background: Why School Kidnappings Are Surging in Nigeria

School abductions like these are part of a long-running crisis in northern and central Nigeria, where armed criminal groups — often called bandits — carry out raids for ransom funds. These gangs typically operate from remote, forested areas, using motorcycles to launch fast, violent attacks.

Historical examples illustrate how entrenched the problem is:

• In May 2021, over 100 pupils were snatched from a religious school in Niger State.
• In the same year, 279 girls were abducted from a school in Zamfara State.
• Earlier in 2024, more than 200 students were kidnapped from a school in Kaduna State in a similar raid.

Experts point to a combination of factors driving these attacks: poor governance, weak security presence in remote zones, underfunded education infrastructure, and the financial incentive from ransoms.

Implications & Concerned Reactions

CAN, through Bishop Yohanna, has condemned the attack and called for the immediate safe release of all abducted individuals. Meanwhile, the crisis has reignited debate about how Nigeria can secure schools — especially in conflict-prone states.

Security analysts warn that without structural reforms, the cycle of kidnappings may continue: kidnapping → ransom → emboldened attackers → more attacks.

This incident deals another blow to Nigeria’s education sector. Many parents in high-risk states fear sending their children to school, while communities demand more robust protection, including safer school perimeters, armed patrols, and government accountability.