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Pope Urges Release After 303 Students, 12 Teachers Abducted From Nigerian Catholic School

Police units with army support are searching nearby forests, with no claim of responsibility or rescues announced.

Overview

  • The night raid on St. Mary’s boarding school in Papiri, Niger State, was reported around 2 a.m., with victims taken from dormitories.
  • The Christian Association of Nigeria reported 303 students and 12 teachers abducted after a final headcount.
  • Authorities describe the attackers as armed bandits, but no group has been identified and motives remain unconfirmed.
  • President Bola Tinubu canceled foreign travel including the G20 meeting to address the crisis, and officials ordered precautionary closures of boarding schools.
  • The Pentagon said its talks with Nigeria’s national security adviser focused on halting violence and pressing for urgent action, as the Vatican publicly appealed for immediate releases.