Nigeria’s government is facing criticism for its response to the abduction of over 250 children from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri village, Niger state, last Friday. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, a prominent cleric in the region, stated that the government has made “no meaningful effort” to rescue the children. This claim has been contested by the state’s police chief, who alleges that the school has not adequately cooperated with authorities in search and rescue efforts.
The identity of the abductors has not been confirmed, but similar incidents in Nigeria have often involved criminal gangs seeking ransom. The situation has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump indicating potential military intervention if the Nigerian government does not address the killing of Christians.
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and has a diverse religious landscape, with both significant Christian and Muslim communities. The Nigerian government asserts that all communities are affected by insecurity, which is exacerbated by both militant Islamist insurgencies and general criminality. Last week, a senior army general was killed by jihadists in an ambush in Borno state, highlighting ongoing security concerns.
In response to the abduction crisis, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to discuss improving security measures and combating violence against Christians. Ribadu’s delegation refuted claims of state-sanctioned religious persecution, describing the security challenges as stemming from a mix of criminality, extremism, and land disputes.
Reports indicate that about 303 students and 12 staff members were taken during the attack, although 50 children managed to escape. As of now, Bishop Yohanna claims that the only government action has been the compilation of the students’ names, disputing local government narratives about compliance with safety orders.
The police chief defended their presence in the area, asserting that a tactical team is deployed, while also acknowledging that the search operation for the abducted children is ongoing. The abduction represented the third incident of its kind within a week, prompting President Bola Tinubu to cancel a planned trip to the G20 summit to address the situation. Following this, some abducted individuals, including 24 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi state and 38 worshippers in Kwara state, were reported to have been released. The recent wave of abductions has led to increased school closures across the country, with heightened security measures being implemented in major urban areas.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgk50g1wzvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss