Armed males attacked a Catholic boarding college in northwestern area of Nigeria and kidnapped a number of schoolchildren and workers early Friday. It’s the most recent in a spate of abductions in Africa’s most populous nation and got here simply days after 25 schoolgirls have been kidnapped in a neighboring state. The most recent abduction comes because the nation is dealing with scrutiny from the Trump administration amid ongoing concern about violence in opposition to Christians within the West African nation.
The assault and abductions befell at St. Mary’s College in Niger State. Native officers didn’t disclose the variety of college students and workers kidnapped, nor who is likely to be accountable for the assault. Native Nigerian broadcaster Come up TV mentioned 52 schoolchildren have been taken.
Nigerian police officers mentioned the abductions befell within the early hours of Friday and that navy and safety forces have since been deployed to the group. They described St. Mary’s as a secondary college that serves youngsters between the ages of in 12 and 17.
The secretary to the Niger state authorities, Abubakar Usman, mentioned in a press release that the incident occurred regardless of prior intelligence warning of heightened threats.
“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” the assertion mentioned.
The abductions befell days after gunmen on Monday attacked a highschool and kidnapped 25 schoolgirls within the neighboring Kebbi state, in Maga, round 105 miles from Papiri. One of many ladies later escaped and is protected, the college’s principal mentioned.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu earlier this week postponed his journey to this weekend’s Group of 20 summit after promising to accentuate rescue efforts.
A basic view of the college from which college youngsters have been kidnapped by gunmen in Kebbi, Nigeria, on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.
Deeni Jibo/AP
“I am heartbroken by the abduction of our daughters in Kebbi and the painful loss of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the brave soldiers who fell in Borno. Their families, and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls, are in my prayers,” Tinubu mentioned in a social media put up Wednesday. “I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”
Nigeria was lately thrust into the highlight after President Trump singled the nation out, stating that Christians are being persecuted — an allegation that the Nigerian authorities rejected.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, “guns-a-blazing,” to utterly wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who’re committing these horrible atrocities. I’m hereby instructing our Division of Conflict to arrange for attainable motion,” Mr. Trump mentioned in a Reality social put up earlier this month.
Nigerian Overseas Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar rejected Mr. Trump’s claims in a put up on X earlier this month, saying “Nigeria is a God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion.”
In October, Mr. Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” in an inventory of nations that the State Division says have violated faith freedom.
The White Home is contemplating sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as a part of a plan to put strain on Abuja to raised shield Christian communities and non secular freedom, a senior U.S. State Division official instructed Reuters Thursday.
No group has claimed duty for the assaults in Niger and Kebbi states, however analysts and locals say gangs usually goal colleges, vacationers and distant villagers in kidnappings for ransom. Authorities say the gunmen are largely former herders who’ve taken up arms in opposition to farming communities after clashes between them over strained assets.
Abductions have come to outline the insecurity prevailing in Africa’s most populous nation and the painful penalties.
A minimum of 1,500 college students have been kidnapped within the area since Boko Haram jihadi extremists seized 276 Chibok schoolgirls greater than a decade in the past. However bandits are additionally energetic within the area, and analysts say gangs usually goal colleges to achieve consideration.
Analysts and residents blame the insecurity on a failure to prosecute recognized attackers and the rampant corruption that limits weapons provides to safety forces whereas guaranteeing a gradual provide to the gangs.
A satellite tv for pc view reveals the college compound, rectangular in form, surrounded by a wall and connected to an adjoining main college, with over 50 classroom and dormitory buildings. It’s situated on the outskirts of the city of Aguara, close to the primary Yelwa-Mokwa highway.
Extra from CBS Information
