In one of the most severe mass abductions to hit Nigeria, armed militants have seized more than 300 students and teachers from a school in the country's central region.
The Attack on St. Mary's Catholic School
Gunmen stormed St. Mary's Catholic School, leading to the disappearance of 303 students and 12 members of staff. The assault, which represents a significant escalation in the region's security crisis, took place on the morning of November 23, 2025.
The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed the devastating scale of the incident, reporting that the entire school population was taken from the premises. Local authorities are currently scrambling to establish contact with the perpetrators and secure the safe return of those captured.
Context and National Response
This mass kidnapping marks one of the worst such incidents in Nigeria's recent history, echoing similar school abductions that have plagued the nation. The central Nigeria region has experienced growing instability, with various armed groups operating with increasing boldness.
Security forces have launched extensive search operations across the area, though the remote location of the school presents significant challenges to rescue efforts. The Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to address the deteriorating security situation that enables such large-scale criminal operations.
International Concern and Future Implications
The international community has expressed grave concern over the escalating pattern of mass student abductions in Nigeria. Educational institutions, particularly in more vulnerable regions, are increasingly becoming targets for armed groups seeking leverage or ransom payments.
This latest incident at St. Mary's Catholic School raises urgent questions about the protection of educational facilities and the safety of children in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria. The psychological impact on the kidnapped children, their families, and the broader community is expected to be profound and long-lasting.
As this remains a developing situation, authorities continue to work through the night to establish the whereabouts of the missing students and teachers, while families await news with growing desperation.
