24. November 2025 Admin

50 Children Escape After Mass Kidnapping at Nigerian School

At least **50 of the more than 300 students** abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State, Nigeria, have escaped and reunited with their families, according to local church authorities.

Quick Insight: While the escape of these students brings relief to their families, a large number of other students and several teachers remain in captivity — underscoring the scale and severity of the security crisis.

1. What We Know So Far

• The escapees made their way to safety individually over several days.
• The victims are students at **St. Mary’s Catholic School** in the Papiri community of Niger State.
• According to church officials, **around 253 children and 12 staff are still held** by the kidnappers.

2. Impact on Families & Community

• Parents raced to the school in panic and relief as they learned about the escapees.
• Many families remain anxious, still waiting for word about children who are unaccounted for.
• This incident has reignited national and international calls for stronger measures to secure schools, especially in high‑risk areas.

3. Why This Is a Major Concern

• Parental fear: this kind of mass abduction erodes trust in school safety, affecting enrollment and attendance.
• Security gap: the incident reveals alarming vulnerabilities, including in boarding schools, which are supposed to be more protected.
• Broader trend: School kidnappings in Nigeria are increasing, and this remains one of the largest in recent times — raising serious questions about how to protect children.

Final Thoughts

The escape of 50 students is a bittersweet moment — a rare piece of good news in a very troubling story. But with hundreds still in danger, the focus must remain on rescuing them, strengthening school security, and ensuring that no child’s education comes at the risk of their life.