Hundreds of distressed parents returned on Friday to the grounds of the Catholic school in Papiri, north-central Niger State, where their children were seized last week. They gathered to urge the government to take swift action to free the hostages.
Armed men raided the school at dawn on November 21, abducting more than 300 students and staff members. School officials reported that roughly 50 children escaped, leaving over 250 still being held by the attackers. Families say they remain in agony as they await any news of their loved ones.
Some of the children are extremely young, said Abuchi Nwolisa, whose child attends the school. They were taken right from their beds.
Earlier this week, President Bola Tinubu declared a national state of emergency and reinforced police operations in response to a surge in violent attacks across the country. The kidnapping in Papiri is one of two large-scale school abductions in recent weeks; in Kebbi State, gunmen seized 30 students before authorities secured their release.
Mass kidnappings of schoolchildren have become a recurring threat in Nigeria, driven by various armed groups that often target students for ransom. According to an Associated Press tally, at least 1,799 students have been abducted in more than a dozen major incidents since 2014, and some victims have never been recovered.
Some parents have two, three, even five children in captivity, said Stephen Okafor, spokesperson for the Minna Catholic Mission. We are here to show the world that this is the harsh reality we are facing.
Addition from the author
Author's Analysis: Urgent Need for Action in Papiri Kidnapping Crisis
The recent abduction of over 250 students and staff in Papiri highlights the escalating security crisis in Nigeria’s schools. Families continue to wait in anguish, emphasizing the human cost behind the statistics. With roughly 50 children having escaped, the majority remain in captivity, and their safety is uncertain.
President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a national state of emergency and the reinforcement of police operations signal government awareness, yet repeated incidents show that current measures may be insufficient. This is the second large-scale school abduction in weeks, illustrating a worrying pattern of attacks by armed groups targeting educational institutions for ransom.
Since 2014, more than 1,799 students have been kidnapped in Nigeria, with many never recovered. The Papiri incident underscores both the vulnerability of schoolchildren and the urgency for more effective preventive strategies. Families, some with multiple children in captivity, demand swift action, reflecting the growing public pressure for tangible results from authorities.
Without a decisive and coordinated response, these kidnappings will continue to threaten children’s safety and disrupt education nationwide. The Papiri tragedy is a stark reminder that security measures must be strengthened immediately to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Follow Us on X
Stay updated with the latest news and worldwide events by following our X page.
Open X Page
Sources:
