The United States government has issued a strong condemnation and an urgent message to President Bola Tinubu's administration following a wave of mass school abductions that have shaken northern Nigeria.
Urgent Call from the United States
In a statement released early on Monday, November 24, the Africa Bureau of the US Department of State used its official X (formerly Twitter) account to denounce the attacks. The US government explicitly called for the immediate capture and prosecution of the terrorists responsible for these crimes.
The statement highlighted two specific incidents: the reported abduction of over 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, and the separate kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state. The US urged the Nigerian government to "act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror."
Details of the Attacks and a Glimmer of Hope
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack on the Niger state school was brutal. Armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in the early hours of Friday, November 21, overpowering security, shooting a guard, and forcibly taking the victims. A similar violent raid led to the seizure of schoolgirls in Kebbi state.
In a related development that offers a sliver of hope, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that 50 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state have managed to escape their captors. They fled between Friday and Saturday and have since reunited with their families.
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, released a list of the escaped children, which included names like Samson Bitrus and Justina Adamu. However, the bishop and CAN emphasized that about 253 children and 12 staff members remain in captivity, and continued prayers are needed for their safe return.
Government Response and School Background
The Niger state government expressed "deep sadness" over the abduction. The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, announced that security agencies have launched investigations and rescue operations.
In a revealing detail, Usman stated that the government had previously closed boarding schools in the district due to intelligence warnings, but St. Mary’s had reopened without official state clearance.
St. Mary’s Catholic School in the remote Papiri village is a vital institution for the marginalized Kamberi community. Founded with Irish support, it began its primary section in 2008 and the secondary section in 2010. The school provided dormitories, meals, and uniforms, making it a cornerstone of education in an impoverished region.
