Nigeria suffered its worst school abduction last week after gunmen kidnapped 315 victims from St Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Niger State, underscoring a new low in the country’s security crisis.

The number of abducted persons, initially announced as 215, was later revised upward to 315 by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after a verification exercise.

Bulus Yohanna, chairman of CAN in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, confirmed in a statement issued by Daniel Atori, his media aide, that the final tally stands at 303 pupils and 12 teachers.

Fifty escape

CAN reported on Sunday that 50 pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have been reunited with their families.

According to Yohanna, who made this known on Sunday in a statement issued by Atori, CAN discovered the development after visiting the parents of the children.

He said there are still 236 pupils in captivity, including three children belonging to staff members and 14 secondary students, putting the total number at 253.

“This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the statement read.

“This comes just a few days after suspected terrorists attacked and abducted 303 pupils and students.”

“We were able to ascertain this when we contacted and visited some parents,” the statement read.”

Insecurity hits new high

The abduction of the 315 victims came amid a string of violent attacks across the country.

On Monday, gunmen abducted 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Kebbi State, after shooting the principal. The vice principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was killed while attempting to protect the students.

That same day, Bobbo Paschal, a Catholic priest from St. Stephen Parish under the Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, was kidnapped.

On Tuesday, terrorists killed at least five people and abducted several others in Eruku, a boundary town between Kwara and Kogi states. They later attacked a church in the area, killing two people and kidnapping a pastor and several worshippers.

In Zamfara State, terrorists killed three persons and abducted at least 64 others in Fegin Baza village, Tsafe LGA.

ISWAP also recently killed Musa Uba, a brigadier general, in a separate attack.

Why prosecution of terrorism sponsors is slow

Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, gave the clarification on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Idris said public expectations of immediate arrests and trials overlook the complexity of tracking and proving terror-funding networks.

He noted that despite mounting frustration among Nigerians, the government cannot simply compile names or act on public accusations without incontrovertible evidence.

“It’s not about whether a list exists or not. The issue isn’t that straightforward,” he said.

“You don’t rush to court simply because someone made a public pronouncement. Proper investigations must be carried out, and some of the concerns people raise are valid.”

Idris, however, insisted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is not complacent. According to him, significant progress has been recorded in security operations since May 2023, even though these gains often go unnoticed.

He said, “More than 13,500 bandits, criminals, and jihadists have been neutralised and over 17,000 arrested since May 2023. Many are already facing trial, and some have been convicted.”

The minister also addressed delays in ambassadorial appointments, confirming that the president has finalised the list, which is now undergoing security vetting.

Meanwhile, the federal government, on Friday, ordered the closure of 41 unity secondary schools over the surging security concerns across the country.

Tunji Alausa, minister of education, in a statement, gave the directive to shut down the concerned schools following ‘recent security challenges’ in parts of the country and the need to prevent breaches.

According to the circular signed by Hajia Abdulkadir, director of Senior Secondary Education, on behalf of the minister, all principals of affected schools are to enforce the closure without delay.

The 41 schools are in states across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South.

The affected schools are: FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FGGC Bakori, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, and FTC Wurno.

Also affected are: FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, FGC Birnin Yauri, FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-Bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omuaran, FTC Gwanara, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, and FGC Rubochi.

Others are: FGGC Abaji, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, and FTC Zambuk.

Also, Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB), also on Friday, ordered the immediate shutdown of all basic schools across the state as part of urgent preventive measures aimed at safeguarding pupils and communities.

The directive, signed by Richard Nanpon Jonah, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) on behalf of the management of the board, made available to Journalists on Friday in Jos said it affects Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs), primary schools and day schools.

According to PSUBEB, Government Junior Model Secondary Schools are to close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025, while all primary and day schools will shut down beginning Monday, 24 November 2025.

“The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows: Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025,” the statement said. (BusinessDay)