ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) – Gunmen abducted⁢ a total of 303 ⁤schoolchildren‍ and 12 teachers from st. Mary’s‌ school, a Catholic institution in⁣ Niger state, north-central Nigeria, the Christian Association of ​Nigeria (CAN) reported⁣ on​ Saturday.This figure represents an increase from​ an ⁣earlier​ estimate of 215 schoolchildren.

The revised tally ⁢followed “a verification exercise and a final census” conducted at the school, ⁣according to a statement released by Most Rev. Bulus⁤ Dauwa‍ Yohanna, chairman of the Niger state chapter​ of CAN, after his​ visit on Friday. He further stated that⁤ an additional 88 students were taken captive​ while attempting ⁤to flee ⁢the⁣ attack. The abducted students include ‌both boys and girls, ⁣ranging in age from 12 to ⁤18.

Background: School ⁤Abductions in Nigeria

Nigeria has experienced ⁢a surge in school abductions in recent years, frequently enough carried out by armed⁣ groups seeking ransom or to advance political agendas. ⁤ These attacks have sparked ⁢widespread outrage and raised concerns about the safety of children in the⁣ region. ⁣ The northwestern and north-central regions ⁣of Nigeria are⁢ particularly vulnerable to banditry ⁤and kidnapping. The​ Council on Foreign Relations’ Global Conflict⁢ Tracker details the escalating violence and its impact​ on ‍civilian populations.

The motives behind these abductions are complex, ​ranging from financial gain through ransom demands to broader ⁤attempts to destabilize the government. Some groups⁤ are also believed to be ​motivated by extremist ideologies. The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its response⁤ to⁢ the crisis, ⁣with some observers calling for more robust security ‍measures and a more⁤ thorough approach to addressing the root causes of the violence.

Government Response⁤ and International Reaction

Nigerian authorities ‌have launched search and ‍rescue operations ​to locate the​ abducted students and ‍teachers. Details of these ‌operations are currently limited, ‍but officials have vowed⁢ to bring the perpetrators ⁣to‌ justice.The ⁢Nigerian military has ⁢increased its presence ​in Niger state‍ and surrounding areas.

The​ attack occurred while Nigerian National Security ⁢Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was visiting the United​ States,‌ where he met⁤ with U.S.Defense Secretary pete Hegseth on⁤ Friday. The timing ‍of the visit and ⁤the ⁢attack raises questions about the⁣ ongoing security ‍cooperation between the two countries. The U.S.State Department has condemned the‌ abduction and offered ⁣assistance to the Nigerian government.

International ⁢organizations, including UNICEF and Save the Children, ‌have also expressed their condemnation of the attack and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students ​and teachers. They have also emphasized the need to protect schools and ensure that children can access education in a safe​ and secure ‌environment.

Niger State: A Region Under Pressure

Niger State, one of Nigeria’s largest states by land area, has become a hotspot for banditry⁢ and kidnapping. Its proximity to the capital,​ Abuja, ⁤and its vast, sparsely populated areas make it