In northern Nigeria, a father described his experience witnessing gunmen abduct numerous children from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri village. He was asleep when the abduction occurred, stating that he heard the perpetrators, who were on motorcycles, as they passed his home with the seized children. He claimed the children were being herded like livestock, with some falling and being kicked to get back up. After calling the police, he found that they arrived too late to intervene.
Reports from the Christian Association of Nigeria indicate that 303 students and 12 staff members were abducted, though local police have acknowledged only a few escaping that night. Meanwhile, Niger state Governor Umar Bago suggested the number of abducted students was inflated and blamed the school authorities for operating despite prior threats. He remarked that schools in the area had been closed for four years due to security risks. Although he characterized the attack as a scare, he assured that all students would be rescued eventually.
Bishop Bulus Bawa Yohanna, who oversees the school, stated that no security personnel had been deployed in the area following the abductions. Frustrated parents, including the father, have been voicing their concerns about the government’s lack of attention to their plight. Some expressed feelings of abandonment by their government, claiming there had been no official visit to the school.
The northern region of Niger, where Papiri is located, has seen an increase in kidnapping incidents. Criminal gangs, often called bandits, exploit the area’s vast forests as hideouts. The abduction from St. Mary’s school was the third incident in a week, following the kidnapping of over 20 schoolgirls in Kebbi state and an attack on a church in Kwara state.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu canceled his attendance at the G20 summit to address the situation. He affirmed his commitment to ensuring safety for all Nigerians and highlighted a recent success in rescuing worshippers abducted in Kwara state. The spate of kidnappings has led to the closure of several boarding schools across the country.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5qen5gnzqo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss