Story perspectives

303 Abducted in Nigeria: Schools Shut Amid Ongoing Violence

11/27/2025

Summary

Story summary

Gunmen abducted 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria.
Fifty children escaped, leaving 253 still missing.
Bulama Bukarti, a security analyst, says the kidnappings are primarily for ransom, not religious motives.
The Nigerian government closed 47 colleges and ordered all Niger State schools to shut down, as violence has killed over 10,000 people and displaced many since President Bola Tinubu took office.

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Story summary

Gunmen abducted 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria.
Fifty children escaped, leaving 253 still missing.
Bulama Bukarti, a security analyst, says the kidnappings are primarily for ransom, not religious motives.
The Nigerian government closed 47 colleges and ordered all Niger State schools to shut down, as violence has killed over 10,000 people and displaced many since President Bola Tinubu took office.