The Attack
In the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025, armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting hundreds of children and staff. Initial reports estimated around 215 victims, but after verification, the Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed 315 people were taken—303 students and 12 teachers.
Witnesses described chaos as gunmen forced students from their dormitories. Parents rushed to the school after hearing gunfire, only to find empty beds. One mother told the BBC her nieces, aged six and 13, were among those kidnapped, saying simply: “I just want them to come home.”
Security Failures
Authorities revealed that St. Mary’s had ignored government orders to close boarding facilities following intelligence warnings of heightened threats. Officials said the decision exposed pupils and staff to “avoidable risk.” The school has not publicly commented on the claim.
Police and military units have since been deployed, combing forests in search of the abducted children. However, Nigeria’s vast rural terrain and the mobility of armed groups make rescue operations extremely difficult.
A Pattern of Violence
This abduction is part of a surge in attacks by criminal gangs known locally as “bandits.” Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative enterprise, despite laws banning ransom payments. Just days earlier, 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Kebbi State, and a church in Kwara State was attacked, leaving two dead and 38 worshippers abducted.
The scale of the Papiri abduction surpasses the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnapping, when 276 girls were taken by Boko Haram.
National and International Response
President Bola Tinubu postponed foreign trips, including attendance at the G20 summit in South Africa, to address the crisis. He vowed to intensify rescue efforts and ordered the closure of dozens of federal colleges.
Internationally, the attack has reignited debate about religious persecution in Nigeria. While some U.S. figures, including President Donald Trump, claim Christians are being systematically targeted, Nigerian officials insist that both Muslims and Christians are victims of extremist violence.
Human Toll
The abduction has devastated families and communities. Nearly half of St. Mary’s student population is believed to have been taken. Parents and relatives wait anxiously for news, while security forces face mounting pressure to deliver results.
Conclusion
The mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School underscores Nigeria’s worsening security crisis. With more than 300 victims, it is a grim reminder of the vulnerability of schools and the urgent need for stronger protections. As families plead for the safe return of their children, the incident has become both a national tragedy and a global call for action.