UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, 50 of the 303 schoolchildren kidnapped from St Mary’s School in Niger State, Nigeria, have escaped captivity and are now reunited with their families. This escape, confirmed by the Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State and school proprietor, brings a glimmer of hope amid one of the largest school abductions in Nigeria’s history.
The escape occurred between Friday and Saturday, with the children aged between 10 and 18 fleeing individually. The news has provided a much-needed relief to distraught families as the search continues for the remaining 253 students and 12 teachers still held by their captors. “We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,” Yohanna stated in a press release.
Gunmen attacked the Catholic institution located in the remote Papiri community of Niger State on July 14, 2023, taking the students and teachers hostage. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and authorities have deployed tactical squads alongside local hunters to locate and rescue the remaining victims.
The situation remains critical as it remains unclear where the remaining hostages are being held or how the escapees managed to return home. Nigeria’s military and police have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the rescue efforts. “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” Yohanna urged.
This latest incident follows closely on the heels of another abduction in Kebbi State, where 25 schoolchildren were seized under similar circumstances just four days earlier. Both states are situated in a northern region of Nigeria plagued by armed gangs that frequently use kidnappings as a tactic to exert control over communities with minimal government oversight.
School kidnappings have become a tragic hallmark of insecurity in Nigeria, with armed groups targeting educational institutions as “strategic” means to gain attention and leverage. Following the attack in Niger State, local authorities quickly shut down all schools in the area, while some federal colleges in conflict hotspots have also been closed by the Nigerian government.
The school compound in Niger State is extensive, featuring over 50 classroom and dormitory buildings and is strategically located near a major road connecting the towns of Yelwa and Mokwa. The urgency of the situation is palpable, and communities across the region are left on edge as they await further developments.
As the search for the remaining victims intensifies, families and communities are calling for immediate action from authorities to ensure the safe return of all abducted individuals. The emotional toll of these abductions cannot be overstated, as families live in constant fear for the safety of their loved ones.
This breaking news is developing rapidly, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
