Over 300 Students and Teachers Abducted from Nigerian Catholic School

Gunmen abducted 303 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary's School in Niger State, Nigeria, early Friday morning, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The victims, aged between 10 and 18, were taken during an attack on the Catholic institution in the remote Papiri community. This incident follows the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in neighboring Kebbi State earlier in the week. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. Authorities have deployed tactical squads and local hunters in search of the abducted individuals. In response, the Niger State government has ordered the closure of all schools in the region to prevent further incidents. President Bola Tinubu has canceled international engagements to address the escalating security crisis. The recent surge in mass abductions underscores the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, particularly in areas where armed groups operate with impunity.