* Schools as Sanctuaries: UN Chief’s Call After Abduction
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Nigeria: Mass School abduction of Over 300 Students and Teachers
Table of Contents
– Updated November 23, 2025, 13:42:13 EST
More than 300 students and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state, Nigeria, on February 26, 2024. Initial reports of 215 kidnapped pupils were revised upwards by The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to a total of 315 individuals.
According to the chair of CAN, who visited the school on February 26, 2024, over 80 students were captured while attempting to escape the armed assailants. The victims ranged in age from 10 to 18 years old and included both male and female students.
Second Mass Abduction This Week
This incident marks the second mass abduction in Nigeria this week, raising serious concerns about the safety of students and educators in the region. The scale of the abduction from the Catholic school in Niger state surpasses a similar incident earlier in the week, highlighting a worsening security situation.
Schools in Nigeria have increasingly become targets for armed groups seeking to gain notoriety or extract ransom payments. This trend disrupts education and creates a climate of fear.
International Condemnation and Calls for Release
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated on February 26,2024,that it is working with the Nigerian government,civil society organizations,and local communities to strengthen child protection systems,emphasizing that no child should be at risk while pursuing an education.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Association (UNESCO) office in Nigeria also condemned the abduction on February 26, 2024, asserting that schools must never be targets. UNESCO called for the immediate release of all abducted children.
We stand with the victims, their families and the Government of Nigeria and call for the immediate release of all abducted children.
UNESCO
background: Kidnapping for Ransom in Nigeria
Kidnapping for ransom has become a meaningful problem in Nigeria, particularly in the northern and central regions. Armed groups, including bandits and suspected Boko Haram affiliates, often target schools, villages, and travelers.
| Year | Reported School Abductions | Total Students/staff Kidnapped (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 1,120 |
| 2021 | 12 | 1,400 |
| 2022 | 15 | 1,600 |
| 2023 | 20 | 2,200 |
| 2024 (Jan-Feb) | 3 | 500+ |
Source: Council on Foreign Relations – Nigeria Kidnapping (Data as of November 23, 2025).