Over 300 children kidnapped in attack on Catholic school in Nigeria

According to Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohana, president of the Niger State branch of CAN, the number was changed “after verification processes and final counts.” Yohana visited the school on Friday. He said that 88 other students were “captured while trying to escape” during the attack. These students, including both boys and girls, ranged in age from 10 to 18.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal

Updated : 24 November 2025, 6:24 PM IST

Representational Image

Abuja: Gunmen attacked a Catholic institution in Niger, Nigeria, on Friday, kidnapping 303 students and 12 teachers. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported this. CAN had previously reported that 215 students had been abducted.

According to Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohana, president of the Niger State branch of CAN, the number was changed "after verification processes and final counts." Yohana visited the school on Friday. He said that 88 other students were "captured while trying to escape" during the attack. These students, including both boys and girls, ranged in age from 10 to 18.

The attack and kidnapping occurred at St. Mary's School, a Catholic institution located in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government. The Niger State Police Command said the kidnapping occurred early in the morning and that military and security forces have been deployed in the area since then.

It added that St. Mary's is a secondary school. Satellite images show the school campus is connected to a nearby primary school and has more than 50 classrooms and dormitories. It is located near a major road connecting the towns of Yelwa and Mokwa.

Dauda Chekula, 62, a local resident, said the abducted schoolchildren included his four grandchildren, aged between seven and 10. A statement issued by the secretary of the Niger State government said the kidnapping occurred despite prior intelligence warnings. "St. Mary's School resumed academic activities without informing or obtaining the approval of the state government, exposing students and staff to unnecessary risk," the statement said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Yohana dismissed as false the state government’s claim that the school was opened despite the directive to temporarily close schools in the area of ​​Niger State due to security threats.