50 Schoolchildren Escape Captivity in Nigeria, 253 Students and 12 Teachers Still Being Held
Fifty out of 303 schoolchildren kidnapped from a Catholic school in Nigeria's Niger state have escaped captivity and reunited with their families, as confirmed by a local church leader. The escape occurred between Friday and Saturday, while 253 students and 12 teachers remain in the hands of their abductors following an attack on St. Mary’s School. The motive and identity of the kidnappers remain unknown, prompting authorities to deploy tactical units and local hunters for a rescue operation. The situation highlights ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, raising concerns about the safety of schools in the region. Future efforts will focus on rescuing the remaining hostages and addressing the broader implications of such abductions.
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The schoolchildren who escaped are between the ages of 10 and 18, and they managed to flee individually over two days.
The abduction occurred on Friday when gunmen attacked the St. Mary’s School in the remote Papiri community of Niger state.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who leads the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state, disclosed the escape following visits to the parents of the children.
In total, 253 schoolchildren and 12 teachers are still being held, and no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
Local authorities have deployed tactical squads and hunters to assist in the rescue efforts, although specifics about the captives' location remain unclear.
The Nigerian military and police have not responded to inquiries regarding further details on the ongoing situation.