Armed assailants have kidnapped 227 students and teachers from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, local authorities confirmed on Friday, 21 November. The mass abduction occurred at St. Mary’s School in Niger State and represents the second major school kidnapping in the country within a week.
A spokesperson for the Christian Association of Nigeria reported that of the 227 abducted, 215 were female students, while 12 teachers were also taken by the gunmen. The incident has sparked widespread fear across the region, with parents and communities demanding urgent action to secure the safe return of those taken.
Authorities in neighbouring Katsina and Malumfashi states have ordered the closure of all schools as a precautionary measure amid rising insecurity. Similarly, the Niger State government has temporarily closed multiple educational institutions to protect students and staff.
The incident has also had national political repercussions. President Bola Tinubu cancelled his planned international trip, which included attending the G-20 summit in Johannesburg, citing the need to focus on national security.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, gunmen attacked a secondary school in Kebbi State in northwest Nigeria, abducting 25 female students. Separately, two people were killed in a separate attack on a church in the western part of the country.
Security experts and human rights organisations have raised alarms over the escalating violence targeting schools and religious institutions in Nigeria. They warn that the repeated attacks not only threaten the safety of children and educators but also disrupt education and undermine community stability.
The following table summarises the recent major attacks on schools in Nigeria:
| Date | Location | Victims | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Nov 2025 | St. Mary’s School, Niger State | 227 (215 students, 12 teachers) | Abducted by armed assailants |
| 18 Nov 2025 | Secondary School, Kebbi State | 25 female students | Abducted by gunmen |
| 18 Nov 2025 | Church, Western Nigeria | 2 deaths | Attack on religious institution |
The escalating attacks on schools have prompted calls for urgent government intervention and strengthened security measures to prevent further kidnappings. Analysts warn that without decisive action, the education sector in vulnerable states could face long-term disruption.