In a fresh wave of violence targeting schools and religious centers, armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state early Friday and kidnapped multiple students.
Local officials confirmed the attack but said the exact number of abducted students remains unclear. However, Nigerian broadcaster Arise News reported that 52 students were taken during the raid.
Security forces have launched a major search operation, sweeping nearby forests and coordinating with local vigilante groups. Authorities also revealed that the school had failed to comply with earlier directives to shut down boarding facilities due to credible intelligence on possible attacks.
The kidnapping follows a string of attacks in neighboring states:
- Monday: 25 schoolgirls were abducted from a boarding school in Kebbi state.
- Earlier this week: A church in Kwara state was attacked, with 38 worshippers kidnapped and a shocking ransom demand of 100 million naira (about $69,000) per person.
Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states are geographically linked, a fact that criminals continue exploiting as they move freely across porous borders.
The surge in violence comes as Nigeria faces increased international scrutiny. Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned of possible military intervention if Nigeria fails to halt attacks on Christian communities—a claim Nigerian officials say distorts the reality on the ground.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu canceled planned trips to South Africa and Angola for G20 and AU–EU engagements. He has also dispatched a high-level delegation led by the national security adviser to consult with U.S. lawmakers and security officials.
Authorities vow to intensify surveillance and security measures around schools and places of worship as rescue operations continue.
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