Over 300 students and teachers were kidnapped from a Catholic school in Nigeria after a recent attack, with 50 of the students managing to escape and reuniting with their families. The school proprietor confirmed that the children had escaped individually between Friday and Saturday. Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow for the incident and called for the immediate release of the remaining hostages. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has expanded its efforts to address the issue of Christian violence in Nigeria, raising concerns over the nation’s security. The Nigerian government has taken measures to close schools in the region following the attack, as officials continue to work on rescuing the remaining 253 students and 12 teachers. The attack has intensified ongoing tensions and highlighted the need for international cooperation in ensuring the safety of religious communities in the region.
Officials have not disclosed details about the remaining hostages or how the students escaped. The attack at St. Mary’s came just four days after armed men kidnapped 25 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi State, killing at least one staff member. The search for the missing girls is ongoing. Meanwhile, 38 worshippers kidnapped during a deadly church attack in central Nigeria’s Kwara State have been freed, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said. Gunmen had attacked the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku town, killing two and taking others hostage. President Bola Tinubu credited