Gunmen vanished with 303 children and 12 teachers from a remote Catholic school in Nigeria, exposing a kidnapping epidemic that threatens an entire nation’s future.
Story Snapshot
- 303 students aged 10-18 and 12 teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 22, 2025.
- Attack followed another mass abduction of 25 children in Kebbi State just four days earlier, signaling coordinated escalation.
- Initial count of 215 victims revised to 315 after Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) verification, including 88 who tried to escape.
- Niger State Governor Umar Bago closed all schools statewide indefinitely to protect lives amid ongoing rescue efforts.
- Part of broader crisis with 816 pupils kidnapped in 22 school attacks since January 2023, fueling a multi-million dollar criminal industry.
Assault Unfolds in Remote Papiri Community
Gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 22, 2025. They targeted the remote institution during school hours, seizing 303 students aged 10 to 18 and 12 teachers. Victims included boys and girls fleeing in chaos. CAN verified the count after an on-site census, up from an initial 215. This scale marks one of Nigeria’s largest single-school abductions. Perpetrators exploited minimal security in the isolated area.
Four days prior, on November 18, similar gunmen abducted 25 children in Maga town, Kebbi State, 170 kilometers away. Rapid succession raises alarms of coordinated gangs or copycat operations. Schools lack defenses; UNICEF reports only 37% in 10 conflict states have early warning systems. Armed groups view educational sites as prime targets for ransom and publicity.
Government Response Triggers School Shutdown
Niger State Governor Umar Bago ordered all schools closed “till further notice” on November 24, 2025. He framed it as an extended Christmas holiday after stakeholder meetings with security officials. Tactical squads and local hunters deployed for rescues, but no breakthroughs reported. Victims remain missing without any group claiming responsibility.
CAN Chairman Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna challenged state claims. Government asserted the school reopened against directives; Yohanna countered no closure circular reached them. This dispute reveals communication breakdowns or blame-shifting. CAN’s firsthand verification bolsters its credibility over official narratives. Common sense demands transparent accountability from leaders safeguarding children.
Escalating Crisis in Nigeria’s Schools
Since January 2023, gangs kidnapped at least 816 pupils across 22 attacks. This industry generates millions in ransoms, funding further violence in north-central and northwestern regions. Schools operate vulnerably, eroding education access. Niger State’s full closure disrupts hundreds of thousands of students, compounding learning losses.
Short-term effects devastate families with trauma and fear. Long-term, recurring shutdowns undermine national development. Enrollment drops as parents withhold children from danger. Economic strain mounts from ransom diversions. Security gaps persist despite formal authority, handing advantage to better-armed criminals.
St. Mary’s Catholic targeting sparks religious concerns, yet the prior Kebbi attack hit a Muslim-majority town. Evidence points to profit-driven motives over faith-based ones. Religious institutions like CAN may attract higher ransoms due to networks. U.S. claims of anti-Christian violence overlook this pattern; facts align with economic criminality, not targeted persecution.
