Bishop Condemns Nigerian Government's Inaction on Kidnapped Schoolchildren

Wed Nov 26 2025 17:19:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In central Nigeria, over 250 children remain missing following their abduction from a Catholic boarding school, prompting strong criticism from local bishop who claims the government is not making sufficient efforts for their rescue.

Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna criticized the Nigerian government's response to the kidnapping of 303 students from St Mary's school in Niger state, alleging that no meaningful actions have been taken to rescue the children. As the police dispute the claim, the spate of abductions raises urgent calls for improved security in schools across Nigeria.

Nigeria's government is making no meaningful effort to rescue more than 250 children abducted from a Catholic boarding school in the central state of Niger last Friday, the main Catholic cleric in the region has told the BBC.

Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna's accusation was disputed by the state's police chief, who accused the school of failing to co-operate with its search and rescue operations.

It is unclear who abducted the children from St Mary's school in Papiri village, but criminal gangs have been involved in kidnappings for ransom across Nigeria.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene militarily in Nigeria if the government fails to stop the killing of Christians.

Nigeria is the most-populous state in Africa, with a large Christian and Muslim population. Its government states that people of all faiths and no faith are victims of insecurity in the country. Militant Islamist groups are also waging an insurgency, recently resulting in the death of a senior army general in Borno state.

The Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) claims that 303 students and 12 staff members were abducted, although 50 children escaped and have been reunited with their families. Bishop Yohanna criticized the government for what he described as a lack of action beyond collecting the names of the students.

In response to the escalating situation and public outcry, President Bola Tinubu has announced increased security measures in schools and key public buildings. In the context of escalating violence in Nigeria, the alarming frequency of such kidnappings has led to the closure of several boarding schools, as parents seek to safeguard their children.