Overview
- Speaking in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo called for the immediate release of all hostages and urged officials to take timely decisions to secure their freedom.
- The Christian Association of Nigeria said its tally rose from 227 to 315 after a verification exercise covering students and staff seized on Friday.
- The mass abduction at St. Mary’s High School in Niger state followed a week of school attacks that prompted the government to close 47 colleges.
- Reports from church outlets say many of the abducted students are boys and girls roughly 12 to 18 years old, and families are awaiting updates.
- In Cameroon, church authorities reported multiple clergy kidnappings in Ndop with one priest still held, and a separate abduction of a Baptist pastor in Jakiri.