Fifty Children Escape from Mass Kidnapping in Nigeria

Mon Nov 24 2025 11:02:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a remarkable development, fifty out of 315 children abducted from St Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria, have escaped. Authorities are conducting a military-led search for the remaining hostages amidst increasing insecurity in the region.

Fifty children have successfully escaped from a recent mass abduction in Nigeria's Niger State, where 315 students were taken by gunmen. With ongoing military efforts to rescue the remaining hostages, the incident underscores the alarming trend of kidnappings for ransom in the country. President Bola Tinubu is responding by increasing police presence to enhance security across the affected regions.

Fifty of the 315 children kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria's Niger State on Friday have escaped.

The Christian Association of Nigeria has reported that these children have been reunited with their families. Currently, a major military-led search and rescue operation is underway for the remaining 265 children and 12 teachers taken during the kidnapping.

In the wake of this incident, authorities in several Nigerian states have ordered schools to close. The abduction in Niger followed a smaller hostage-taking in Kebbi state, where 20 students were kidnapped from a boarding school.

In light of the rising number of abductions, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the recruitment of an additional 30,000 police officers.

In another development, 38 individuals abducted from a church service in Kwara state were released, as confirmed by the state governor.

The news of the children's escape has brought a sense of relief to families and communities deeply affected by the ongoing crisis of mass kidnappings in Nigeria's northwest.

Additionally, President Tinubu has redirected police forces from VIP protection to core duties in areas most susceptible to such attacks.

According to reports from a Christian group involved in the rescue, the escape took place between Friday and Saturday, marking a brave effort by the pupils to flee their captors.

The abduction from St Mary's School in Papiri is significant, as the number of hostages surpasses the infamous Chibok abduction of 2014, which involved 276 schoolgirls. Local police reported that armed men stormed the school at around 2:00 AM.

Niger state governor Mohammed Umaru Bongo announced the closure of all schools in the area, emphasizing that this is not a time for criticism but action.

Pope Leo XIV expressed immense sadness over the incident, calling for swift action from authorities. The community remains devastated, with numerous stories of anguish and hope for the safe return of abducted loved ones.

As security efforts continue, it is evident that the issue of kidnapping for ransom by criminal gangs, referred to as 'bandits', has escalated in many regions of Nigeria. Although the payment of ransoms has been outlawed, it has had little deterrent effect on these criminal enterprises.

Recently, over 20 schoolgirls were also reported kidnapped from a boarding school in Kebbi state, prompting additional closures of secondary schools and colleges across affected states. The situation highlights the urgent need for increased security and protection for schools in Nigeria.