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50 Students Escape St. Mary's Kidnapping; About 265 Still Held After Mass Abduction in Niger State

Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary's School in Niger State escaped between Friday and Saturday, aided by hiding in nearby bushland and assistance from local farmers. Gunmen had initially seized 315 people — 303 students and 12 staff — leaving about 265 still in captivity. The raid is the second major kidnapping in a week and has increased pressure on the government to strengthen security for schools in northern Nigeria.

04:16 AM, 11/24/2025Security
50 Students Escape St. Mary's Kidnapping; About 265 Still Held After Mass Abduction in Niger State

Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary's School in Niger State managed to escape between Friday and Saturday, church officials said, but roughly 265 people remain in captivity following a mass raid on the boarding school.

According to Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the students who fled are aged between 15 and 18. Many hid in nearby bushland to evade their captors and were helped by local farmers, Daniel Atori, a spokesperson for St. Mary's, said.

Gunmen reportedly entered the boarding school early on Friday and abducted 315 people in total: 303 students and 12 teachers and staff. With 50 students confirmed to have escaped, approximately 253 students and 12 staff — about 265 people — are still believed to be held.

Rising wave of school kidnappings

Kidnapping of schoolchildren has become increasingly frequent in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed gangs sometimes seize students and demand ransoms. The attacks have sparked alarm nationally and internationally, drawn attention to long-standing security gaps, and intensified calls for stronger protection of schools and communities.

The latest abduction is the second major school raid in a week and has increased scrutiny on the federal government and President Bola Tinubu to improve policing and preventive security measures for schools. Humanitarian groups and community leaders have urged a coordinated response to protect children and speed the safe return of those still detained.

Authorities and community representatives are continuing rescue and negotiation efforts. CAN and school officials appealed for calm and urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in securing the remaining captives' release.

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