Fifty Schoolchildren Escape Abduction in Niger State, Nigeria
Fifty of the 303 schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Catholic school in Niger state have escaped, according to school authorities on November 23. The children, aged 10 to 18, escaped separately between Friday and Saturday. Currently, 253 children and 12 teachers remain in captivity. The mass kidnapping occurred during a raid on the school, which has 629 students enrolled. This incident follows another abduction of 25 girls from a secondary school in Kebbi state. The Nigerian government has not commented on the status of rescue operations. The region is facing severe security challenges due to armed gangs and a deadly Islamist insurgency, which has led to school closures and left millions of children vulnerable.
Published 11 days ago • 23 Nov 2025, 10:37 PM IST