The reassessment of the number of kidnapped individuals was made after a thorough verification and final count, as reported by the Most Reverend Bulus Dawa Johanna, chairman of the CAN branch in Niger, who visited the school on November 21. According to him, an additional 88 students were captured during an escape attempt during the attack. Among the kidnapped schoolchildren are boys and girls aged 10 to 18 years.
The incident occurred in the remote settlement of Papiri and became known just four days after 25 schoolgirls were abducted under similar circumstances in the neighboring state of Kebbi.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for these abductions. Authorities reported that tactical units were deployed alongside local hunters to rescue the children.
Johanna refuted the Niger government’s statement that the school had allegedly resumed classes despite a previous order for the temporary closure of educational institutions due to security threats. He noted: “We have not received any notifications. This seems to be an attempt to shift the blame onto us,” urging families to remain calm and pray.
Security issues related to the kidnapping of schoolchildren are becoming increasingly common in Nigeria, the most populous country on the African continent. Armed groups often choose educational institutions as "strategic" targets to attract attention.
According to UNICEF, only 37% of schools in the ten most conflict-affected states have early warning systems to identify threats.
In response to the situation, Niger State decided to close all schools as a precaution against further abductions. Governor Umar Bago informed journalists that this decision was made after a meeting with security officials in Minna on November 22. “All schools will be closed until further notice. We have declared Christmas holidays for all educational institutions,” he added.
In early November, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his intention to send military personnel to Nigeria, accusing the authorities of inaction in combating the alleged killings of Christians. Nigerian President Tinubu rejected these accusations. The country is predominantly Muslim in the north and Christian in the south.
