Families rejoice as 50 children flee into the night, but more than 250 students and teachers remain missing. Witnesses say the government’s “failure to protect” is fueling despair — and the world is finally paying attention.
It was still dark when gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Nigeria’s remote Papiri community early Friday. By sunrise, chaos had swallowed the compound. Over 300 students and teachers had vanished — snatched from dormitories, classrooms, and even the chapel.
“The sound of the gunfire was endless,” said one local villager, who asked not to be named for safety. “We hid in the bush and listened to the children crying.”
By Sunday morning, hope flickered again. Fifty terrified schoolchildren, ages 10 to 18, had managed to escape from the abductors’ forest camps, according to the Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
“They ran barefoot through the bush, some for miles,” Yohanna said. “We thank God they survived. But we are far from victory.”
The mass abduction has shaken a country already reeling from years of violence targeting students. In northern Nigeria, bandit militias — often splinter groups of herders turned armed traffickers — have made a brutal business of kidnapping for ransom.
According to UNICEF, more than 1,500 students have been abducted in Nigeria since 2014, when Boko Haram militants first captured global attention by seizing nearly 300 Chibok schoolgirls.
“Every time we think it’s over, another school is attacked,” said peace advocate Yohanna Buru, head of the Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation. “Our children are becoming currency for criminals.”
This latest kidnapping has drawn worldwide outrage. Pope Leo XIV called the abductions “an unspeakable evil,” urging swift action during Sunday Mass in Rome.
“I feel deep sorrow… especially for the many boys and girls who have been abducted,” he said. “Let us pray that schools and churches may always be places of safety and hope.”
President Donald Trump echoed the sentiment on Truth Social: “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria. We stand ready to save our great Christian population around the world.”
Even rapper Nicki Minaj weighed in on X, writing, “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. Thank you to The President for taking this seriously. God bless every persecuted Christian.”
Back in Niger state, families wait by radios and cellphones for any sign of news. Some parents have slept outside the school gates since Friday.
“My four grandchildren were taken,” said Dauda Chekula, a local farmer. “We don’t know where they are. The government says nothing. We only hear that the kidnappers are deep in the forest.”
Nigeria’s police and military have deployed tactical units and local hunters to track the abductors, though officials admit they have no clear intelligence on the captives’ location. Authorities closed nearly 50 schools across conflict-prone areas this weekend amid fears of copycat attacks.
An army spokesperson declined to comment on rescue timelines. “Operations are ongoing,” was the only statement released.
The federal government blames the Niger state administration for failing to heed warnings to close rural schools after the Kebbi state abductions days earlier. Local officials insist those warnings never reached them.
Security analysts say the finger-pointing reflects deeper dysfunction. “There’s no coordination between local forces and federal command,” said Dr. Chidi Onyekwe, a Lagos-based defense expert. “By the time help arrives, the kidnappers are already gone.”
As the search continues, pressure is mounting from both within Nigeria and abroad. Washington and the Vatican have demanded stronger action. Human rights groups are calling for sanctions against those enabling ransom networks.
For now, families cling to faith. Reverend Yohanna urged the nation to “pray without ceasing.”
“As much as we rejoice for the 50 children who found freedom,” he said, “we cannot rest until every last child comes home.”
Source: Associated Press, CAN, Vatican News, NBC News, Truth Social, X.
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From a friend: \”The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States , especially in the minority races. Last month I attended a training. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who each explained their beliefs. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked: \’Please, correct me if I\’m wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that\’s the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?\’ There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, \” Nonbelievers\” I responded, \’So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?\’ The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.\’ He sheepishly replied, \’Yes.\’ I then stated, \’Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!\’ The Muslim was speechless. I continued, \’I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?\’ You could have heard a pin drop. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the \’Diversification\’ training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing with the Islamic Imam, and exposing the truth about the Muslims\’ beliefs. In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the US. to elect the President. I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference. Brian Canfield
Nothing of consequence is going to happen as the U.N. is definitely anti-Christian and pro-Muslim. They’ll do the usual flapping of tongues condemning what’s happening and maybe, just maybe, even go so far as to issue a strongly worded voice of protest to the Nigerian government,which the Nigerian government will merely put in a picture frame and post on a wall to give them something to look at and laugh.