Fifty out of 303 students kidnapped from Nigeria’s St. Mary’s School have escaped and are now safe with their families, according to officials who confirmed the news on Sunday. The remaining 253 students and 12 teachers are still in captivity, with no public details on their whereabouts. School closures across Niger are still in place, including the closure of several federal colleges in conflict-prone areas, as a precaution. The Trump administration has expanded its efforts to combat Christian violence in Nigeria, citing the recent attacks. Pope Francis expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging the immediate release of the hostages and calling upon authorities to take swift action. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and authorities stated that tactical squads and local hunters are involved in the search for the remaining students and teachers.
Nigeria has seen a series of attacks on Christians and their institutions, prompting President Donald Trump to declare the West African nation a