In a significant development, 100 students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in northern Nigeria were safely reunited with their families last month. This incident highlights the ongoing crisis of kidnappings in the region, raising concerns over the safety of children in educational institutions.
The release of these students comes amidst a backdrop of persistent violence targeting schools, emphasizing the alarming trend of such abductions in Nigeria’s northern regions.
Key Developments
- 100 students have been freed, with health checks conducted by local officials.
- Fifty students managed to escape during the initial abduction on November 21.
- Approximately 150 students and staff remain unaccounted for, still held by their captors.
- No group has officially claimed responsibility for the kidnappings.
- Community leaders and parents are advocating for the safe return of remaining hostages.
Full Report
Rescue and Reunion
Reverend Sister Felicia Gyang, the principal of St. Mary’s Catholic School, expressed gratitude towards security personnel for their role in rescuing the children. She urged for continued efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity, emphasizing the emotional toll on families.
Community Response
Luka Illaya, a father of one of the rescued children, conveyed mixed emotions, noting his relief at the return of his son while also mourning the fate of another child still held by kidnappers. “It has not been easy for me. But today, in fact, I have a little bit of joy, especially because there is still one abducted,” he stated, highlighting the duality of emotion experienced by affected families.
Ongoing Crisis
Experts indicate that armed groups frequently target children to extract ransoms from governments and communities. This pattern of violence has drawn both national and international attention, with calls for action from leaders, including a recent address from the Pope urging the release of the Papiri students. The issue remains critical, as more than 1,799 students have been reported kidnapped since 2014, following the highly publicized abduction of 276 girls by Boko Haram.
Context & Previous Events
The mass abduction in Northern Nigeria has become part of a distressing trend over the past decade, with significant incidents occurring regularly since 2014. The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School on November 21 followed a similar incident earlier in Kebbi state, where 25 students were kidnapped just days prior.
