Fifty Children Escape Nigerian School Abduction Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Sun Nov 30 2025 21:29:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Fifty of the 315 children abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria’s Niger State have escaped, leading to a renewed focus on security in the region. The Nigerian government is intensifying rescue operations for the remaining hostages.

In a significant development, fifty children have successfully escaped from a mass abduction incident at a Catholic school in Niger State, Nigeria, where 315 students were taken by armed gunmen. The Nigerian government has launched a large-scale military operation to locate the remaining 265 children and their teachers. Following this harrowing event, schools have been closed in several states. The situation has heightened concerns about safety and the ongoing threat of kidnappings across Nigeria.

Fifty of the 315 children kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in Nigeria's Niger State on Friday have escaped. The Christian Association of Nigeria confirms that these children have been reunited with their families.

A large military-led operation continues as authorities search for the remaining 265 children and 12 teachers who were abducted along with them.

In response to the alarming rise in abductions, schools in numerous Nigerian states, including Kebbi and Niger, have been ordered to shut down.

Pursuing better security, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of an additional 30,000 police officers.

In another noteworthy incident, 38 people kidnapped from a church service in Kwara state last week were released on Sunday, although this tragedy saw the loss of two lives during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku.

The escape of fifty children has provided some relief to families and the nation, which is grappling with ongoing fears related to school abductions.

President Tinubu has also redirected police resources from VIP protection to focus on addressing security issues, especially in vulnerable areas.

According to a Christian group involved in the rescue, the students managed to flee their captors between Friday and Saturday, marking a brave and risky attempt for freedom. The abduction from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger state, has drawn comparisons to the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnapping that stole international attention.

Local law enforcement reported that armed men stormed St Mary's School around 02:00 (01:00 GMT), taking students from their dormitories during the night. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bongo of Niger state announced the closure of all schools in the area, emphasizing that now is not the time for blame.

The attack follows a troubling trend of mass abductions in Nigeria, often linked to ransom-seeking criminal gangs. The government has outlawed ransom payments but effectiveness remains questionable.

Recent reports highlight other abductions, including more than 20 schoolgirls taken from a boarding school in Kebbi state, prompting further school closures in the area.