Armed attackers abducted 303 students and 12 faculty members during a raid on St Mary's School in Niger state, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria, following verification efforts at the co-educational institution. Catholic Bishop Bulus Yohanna reported that 88 additional pupils were captured while attempting to flee, bringing the total victims to 315 from a campus enrollment of 629. Authorities in neighboring states ordered school closures as President Bola Tinubu canceled international commitments to address the emergency.
The assault followed another kidnapping operation at a Kebbi state secondary school where gunmen seized 25 female students. Criminal bands operating from forest camps across northwestern and central regions have intensified abductions for ransom, with security analysts expressing concern over growing collaboration between financially motivated bandits and jihadist insurgents. Nigerian officials have not released statements on victim counts.
The assault followed another kidnapping operation at a Kebbi state secondary school where gunmen seized 25 female students. Criminal bands operating from forest camps across northwestern and central regions have intensified abductions for ransom, with security analysts expressing concern over growing collaboration between financially motivated bandits and jihadist insurgents. Nigerian officials have not released statements on victim counts.
