Nigerian School Kidnapping: A Father's Grief as Son is Abducted

Wed Nov 26 2025 02:56:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a harrowing account, a father shares his helplessness as his son and dozens of other children were kidnapped by gunmen from a boarding school in northern Nigeria. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for government accountability amidst ongoing insecurity in the region.

A father named Theo described the helplessness he felt as armed men stormed St Mary's boarding school in Niger state, abducting his son and many other children. The community grapples with grief and frustration over inadequate governmental response following this tragic incident, which is part of a larger trend of escalating kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria.

A father has shared his distressing experience of witnessing armed gunmen raid a Catholic boarding school in northern Nigeria, resulting in the abduction of his son along with dozens of other children.

The attack occurred at St Mary's school in Papiri village, Niger state, during the early hours of Friday. The father, who wished to remain anonymous and is referred to as Theo for safety reasons, described how he was awakened by the sounds of chaos as the gunmen, on motorbikes, captured the children.

They were being trafficked on foot, like shepherds controlling their herds. I felt a strong urge to intervene, but what could I do? he lamented, expressing his helplessness as he called the police, only to find it was too late.

Community fears were confirmed when the Christian Association of Nigeria reported the abduction of 303 students and 12 staff members, while only 50 managed to flee. The local governor downplayed the numbers, suggesting the actual count of abducted individuals was significantly lower.

Governor Umar Bago criticized the school authorities for keeping the institution open despite repeated threats, asserting that the local community has been under siege from armed groups for years. Despite the ongoing crisis, Bago claimed the government is working to ensure the safe return of all abducted students.

Amidst parents' outraged calls for government action, the bishop overseeing the school reported that no security forces were present during the attack. Grief-stricken families, including Theo, have been camping outside the school, feeling abandoned by their government.

The continuous cycle of kidnappings in northern Nigeria has prompted many boarding schools to close, as fear ripples through communities. This incident marks the third abduction case reported in just one week, underscoring the profound security issues plaguing the region.

President Bola Tinubu responded to the crisis by canceling a planned trip to address urgent safety concerns, reaffirming his commitment to securing the nation. As the pressure mounts from international leaders regarding the safety of citizens, the Nigerian government faces scrutiny over its handling of escalating violence and abduction cases.