A nun has reported the kidnapping of hundreds of children, including those as young, as 5, from St. Mary’s School in Nigeria. The kidnapped students, primarily from the primary school level, were taken during an attack that occurred on Friday. Among the missing, 253 students and 12 teachers remain unaccounted for, while 50 children aged 10 to 18 successfully escaped their captors over the weekend. The nun, Mary Barron, highlighted that many of the missing are from the primary school level, as education in the region is often limited.
The escape of the 50 students involved them crossing over a wall and running into the bush. They reportedly walked extensively until they found a familiar area. The nun expressed hope that with sufficient resources and coordination, the remaining kidnapped children can be rescued. The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of attacks on Christians and their institutions, with the U.S. administration taking steps to address the issue.