Wave of School Abductions Hits Nigeria: Latest Attack Targets Catholic School

Sat Nov 22 2025 02:10:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a troubling surge of violence, armed men have abducted pupils from a Catholic school in Niger State, Nigeria, just days after a similar attack on schoolgirls. Learn more about the ongoing security crisis impacting education in the region.

Armed men have abducted an undetermined number of students from St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria. This incident marks the second kidnapping in under a week, following a similar attack on 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi state. Rising insecurity has forced authorities to close boarding schools temporarily, provoking widespread concern regarding student safety and prompting the government to postpone international engagements.

An unknown number of pupils have been abducted by armed men from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, marking the second school kidnapping in less than a week. The latest attack targeted St Mary's School in Papiri, Niger State, where authorities had already ordered the temporary closure of all boarding schools due to rising security threats. 'The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,' Niger State authorities stated. This incident follows a recent kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from a nearby boarding school in Kebbi State.

The surge in attacks has underscored the deepening insecurity in the West African nation and prompted President Bola Tinubu to postpone planned foreign trips.