303 Students and 12 Teachers Abducted from Catholic School in Nigeria
In a distressing incident, a total of 303 students and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution located in Niger state, north-central Nigeria. The abduction, attributed to suspected radical Islamic gunmen, has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of educational institutions in the region, according to reports from The Associated Press.
Authorities confirmed that military and security forces have been deployed to the affected community in response to the crisis. The abduction occurred on Friday, when a group of armed assailants stormed the school, taking approximately half of the institution's total enrollment of students. The victims include both male and female students, ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old.
This incident marks the second mass abduction of students in Nigeria within just one week, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by the country. The rise in school kidnappings has been linked to various militant groups operating in the region, which have increasingly targeted educational institutions as part of their campaigns.
Local authorities and security agencies are working diligently to locate and rescue the abducted individuals, but the situation remains tense as families and communities anxiously await news of their loved ones. The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of security issues, particularly in relation to the safety of schools, which have become vulnerable to such attacks.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for increased support and resources to combat the growing threat of violence against educational institutions in Nigeria. As the search for the abducted students and teachers intensifies, the hope for their safe return remains a priority for families and advocates alike.