According to a statement from the Niger State police, the incident occurred early in the morning on November 21. Military and special forces were dispatched to the scene. St. Mary's School is a secondary educational institution for children aged 12 to 17.
State authorities noted that the educational process at the school had resumed without notifying the government and obtaining the necessary permits, putting both students and staff at risk. They also pointed to intelligence warnings about potential threats.
According to AP, this kidnapping is part of a broader wave of attacks that have occurred in the region. Just a few days prior, militants abducted 25 schoolgirls in the settlement of Maga (Kebbi State), one of whom managed to escape. On the same day, an attack on a church occurred in the neighboring Kwara State, resulting in the deaths of 2 people and 38 parishioners being taken hostage. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of about $69,000 for each of them.
Local residents link these attacks to the activities of gangs engaged in mass kidnappings for ransom. According to authorities, most of the militants are former herders who have turned to violence due to land conflicts and resource shortages.
