300 Students and 12 Teachers Abducted in Niger State, Nigeria

Attack on a Catholic School

In a harrowing incident on November 22, 2025, armed assailants kidnapped 300 students and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State, located in north-central Nigeria. According to local authorities, the kidnapping occurred during a violent attack on the educational institution.

Details of the Abduction

Reverend Bolus Dawa-Yohana, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s Niger State branch, reported that the students, aged between 10 and 18, were taken hostage, with 88 of them captured while attempting to escape. This alarming abduction highlights the ongoing security crisis affecting schools in Nigeria.

Recent Trends in School Abductions

This incident is part of a disturbing trend in Nigeria, where school abductions have emerged as a significant issue of insecurity. A similar kidnapping took place just a week prior in the neighboring Kebbi State, predominantly Muslim, where 25 school children were taken. Although no group has claimed responsibility for these abductions, security forces are reportedly mobilizing efforts to rescue the hostages.

The Broader Context of Insecurity

Kidnappings in Nigerian schools are not new, but they have risen sharply in recent years, drawing attention to the urgent need for improved safety measures. Armed groups often target schools to generate publicity and exert influence, impacting both Christian and Muslim communities. UNstartF has noted that only 37% of schools in the ten most affected states are equipped with early warning systems, exacerbating the risks faced by children.

Conclusion

The recent spike in school kidnappings underscores a critical security challenge in Nigeria, necessitating immediate attention from national and international communities. Authorities are striving to implement effective security measures to protect students and educational institutions from such violent attacks.