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50 Pupils Escape After Mass Kidnapping at Saint Mary’s Catholic School — Dozens Still Missing

At least 50 pupils have escaped after gunmen abducted 303 children and 12 teachers from Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State and have been reunited with their families. The raid follows an earlier attack in Kebbi State in which 25 girls were taken and a vice-principal was killed. Authorities, including police, military and local trackers, are searching for the remaining victims while UNICEF and international figures call for the children’s immediate and safe release.

09:19 PM, 11/23/2025Security
50 Pupils Escape After Mass Kidnapping at Saint Mary’s Catholic School — Dozens Still Missing

At least 50 of the more than 300 students abducted from Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State have escaped and been reunited with their families, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported. Armed attackers raided the north-central boarding school on Friday, taking 303 children and 12 teachers in one of the country’s largest mass kidnappings.

CAN said the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and are now safe. Regional authorities and security forces continue to search for the remaining victims.

“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,” said Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN’s chairman in Niger State.

The Saint Mary’s abduction followed another school attack four days earlier in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 170 km (106 miles) away. In that incident gunmen kidnapped 25 schoolgirls and killed the school’s vice-principal; at least one girl has escaped but 24 remain missing.

The identity of the attackers in both incidents remains unknown and no group has publicly claimed responsibility. Police, military units and local volunteer trackers have been deployed to search nearby forests, likely escape routes and surrounding communities.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) described the seizures as a “brutal and grave violation of children’s rights” and urged the immediate and safe release of the abducted children and educators.

The incidents have drawn international attention. Some U.S. political figures, including President Donald Trump, have suggested military action or stronger intervention in response to attacks on religious communities. In a social media post, Pete Hegseth said he had met Nigeria’s national security adviser to discuss the violence; Hegseth added that he and others are urging action to protect vulnerable communities.

The Nigerian government has rejected a narrative that frames the violence as targeting a single religious group, noting that Muslims have also been heavily affected by attacks from armed groups across the country. Investigations and rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to secure the safe return of the remaining abducted students and teachers.

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