Gunmen have abducted 52 students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, in the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025, in what has become the latest mass kidnapping targeting schools in northern Nigeria.
The attackers reportedly invaded the school’s hostel at about 2 a.m., overpowering security personnel before whisking the students into nearby bushes.
Security officials have since deployed police tactical teams and military units to comb surrounding forests in an ongoing operation to rescue the abducted children.
Authorities in Niger State have condemned the incident, stating that the school had resumed full boarding activities despite earlier security advisories urging caution.
Church officials in the area have also denounced the attack, describing it as a devastating blow to the community and calling for urgent action to ensure the safe return of the students.
The abduction adds to the growing wave of kidnappings that continue to plague parts of Nigeria, renewing concerns about safety and the worsening security situation in conflict prone region.
