Pope Appeals for Release of Nigerian School Abductees as 50 Students Escape

Fifty students, aged between 10 and 18, have escaped captivity after being abducted from St. Mary's School in Niger state's Papiri community. The students returned to their families between Friday and Saturday, according to Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and proprietor of the school. However, 253 students and 12 teachers remain in captivity.

The abduction occurred on Friday when gunmen attacked the Catholic institution. No group has claimed responsibility, and authorities have not provided updates on rescue efforts. The school is located near a major road linking the towns of Yelwa and Mokwa, in a region where armed gangs frequently operate.

Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sorrow over the incident during a mass in St. Peter's Square, stating,

"I feel great sorrow, especially for the many girls and boys who have been abducted and for their anguished families."

"I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages and urge the competent authorities to take appropriate and timely decisions to ensure their release."

The Pope also emphasized the importance of ensuring that churches and schools remain places of safety and hope.

This incident is part of a series of school kidnappings in Nigeria, where armed gangs often target educational institutions to draw attention and demand ransoms. At least 1,500 students have been abducted in Nigeria since the Chibok schoolgirls' kidnapping over a decade ago.

In response to the recent abductions, Niger state has closed all schools, and the Nigerian government has shut down several federal colleges in conflict-prone areas.

President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his government will not relent until every hostage is freed, stating,

"Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety. And under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people."

The situation remains tense as efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining captives.