Gunmen have kidnapped 315 people, including students and teachers, from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria, in what is being described as one of the worst school abductions in recent years.

What Happened

• According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), an initial count of 215 pupils has since been revised upward.

• CAN reports that the final tally includes 303 students aged between 10 and 18, and 12 teachers, after 88 more students were recaptured in follow-up checks.

• The raid occurred in the early hours of Friday at the school’s boarding facilities.

Read Also: El Fasher Hospital Worker Speaks of “State of Terror” Before Alleged Massacre

Government Response & Aftermath

• In response to the mass kidnapping, Niger State authorities have closed several schools to prevent further incidents.

• The scale of this abduction has drawn comparisons to the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping of 2014, which made global headlines.

• CAN’s bishop, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, led the verification exercise and expressed deep concern as security agencies begin investigations.

Broader Security Implications

• This incident highlights the escalating crisis of school kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in regions with low security presence.

• The use of kidnapping as a tactic by armed groups has intensified, especially in rural and less-protected areas.

• The event has raised urgent questions about safeguarding educational institutions, the protection of children, and the role of the national government in responding to such threats.