Nigeria: Kidnapped schoolchildren released amid unprecidented security crisis

Empty beds in student dormitory, St Mary's Catholic School on 21 November. Image: Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state chapter, Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese

Source: CSW

One hundred of the 253 schoolchildren who were abducted in an armed raid on St Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area (LGA) in Niger State were transported to the state capital, Minna, yesterday, 8 December, where they were officially received by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago before being handed over to government officials.

Nigeria's Federal Government had reportedly secured the release of the children on 7 December, although details of how this was achieved remain unclear. Their release leaves 153 students and 12 staff members in captivity.

239 nursery and primary school children, 14 secondary school students and 12 staff members were abducted by armed gunmen who attacked their private boarding school on 21 November. Staff who were not kidnapped report hearing a helicopter and 'so many' vehicles, including motorcycles, as they were driven away. The subsequent deaths of two parents, Anthony Musa, the father of three young abductees, and a mother of other children known only as Esther, have been attributed to trauma occasioned by the abductions.

In a post on X United States Congressman Riley Moore, who has introduced a resolution addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and recently visited the nation, commended the rescue, which he described as 'a positive demonstration of the government's increasing response to the security situation.' Congressman Moore added that he had discussed "concrete steps and actions" which, "if fully executed … will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the North-East and stop the killing of Christians … particularly in the Middle Belt of the country."

Nigeria is in the midst of an unprecedented and multifaceted security crisis. While the violence occurring in central areas, including Benue, southern Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Plateau and Taraba, bears a distinct religious colouration, in northwestern areas, such as Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara and the northern part of Kaduna State, it generally unfolds along ethnic lines.

In a statement released on 7 December the Supreme Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, Emmanuel Alogbo, condemned the abduction of church leader Pastor Orlando, the pastor's wife, the visiting preacher Evangelist Gabriel Onaji, and several members of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba town, Yagba West LGA, Kogi State on 30 November, which 'portends negativity for free worship of Nigerians as enshrined in the nation's constitution.' Worryingly, eyewitnesses report that a drone hovered over the area minutes before armed assailants with turbans partially concealing their faces invaded the Sunday service.

In neighbouring Kwara State the Bayagan-Ile Community in Ifelodun LGA has called for the police, the state government, and other security agencies to rescue their traditional ruler, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan-Ile, who was abducted from his farm in Ifelodan LGA on 29 November. His captors reportedly had requested N150 million (approximately GBP 77,000) for his release.

In Sokoto State, a bride, 10 bridesmaids, a baby and two men were abducted in a raid on the Chacho community in Wurno LGA that occurred between 8pm and 9pm on 29 November. A relative of the bride who attempted to resist the abductors was shot and seriously injured. The bride's father, Malam Umaru Chacho, informed Nigerian media that her abductors made contact two days later, demanding no ransom, but insisting on speaking to the local traditional ruler instead. He added that over 30 local people had been killed by these assailants in the last five years.

Meanwhile in Kano State, an elderly woman was shot dead and at least eight people were abducted following an armed attack on Yankamaye village in Tsanyawa LGA, that occurred at around 11pm on 29 November.

CSW's CEO Scot Bower said: "CSW welcomes news of the release of the students from St Mary's boarding school. We wish these students and their families a swift and full recovery from this traumatic ordeal, and urge the Nigerian authorities to do all they can to assist with this. Nigerian citizens have been terrorised by multiple armed non-state actors for far too long and require urgent effective protection. The government must spare no effort in securing the release of every citizen who is currently in captivity, including the remaining students and staff members from St Mary's, the bridal party in Sokoto and the Cherubim and Seraphim church members in Kogi, and in addressing Nigeria's unprecedented security crisis decisively, sourcing international assistance wherever possible and whenever necessary.'