Nigeria: Mass abduction of students from a Catholic school

Aftermath of kidnapping, Credit: Vatican News

Source: Fides News

A Catholic school in Nigeria was attacked on 21 November and at least 100 students were kidnapped. The possible figure may be more than 300.

In the early hours, an armed group on 60 motorcycles and in cars stormed St Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the community of Papiri, Niger State, in north-central Nigeria. A statement from the Diocese of Kontagora, signed by Diocesan Secretary Jatau Luka Joseph, reported that a member of the security personnel was seriously injured in the attack.

The attack reportedly took place between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m. "The Diocese of Kontagora strongly condemns the attack and expresses deep concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families," said the statement; "the security authorities were immediately informed and have launched coordinated efforts to ensure the safe return of the hostages."

According to Vatican News, no group has yet claimed responsibility for the act committed during the night or issued ransom demands, but it is plausible that Boko Haram terrorists are behind it. The episode comes just one week after the kidnapping of 25 female students in Kebbi State and the attack on the Church of Eruku, in the western state of Kwara, on 18 November.

After Mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King in St Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Leo made a heartfelt appeal for the release of students and priests kidnapped in recent days in Nigeria and Cameroon. The Pope invited everyone to pray that churches and schools might never be the target of violence: "Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope."