Hundreds of children were shocked at a Nigerian Catholic school, days after a similar crime

Armed men attacked a Catholic school in Northwestern Nigeria and kidnapped several school children and staff before dawn on Friday. It is the latest thing In case of seizure In the most populous country in Africa and came a few days after the 25 days made for neighboring people. The latest takeover comes as the country faces scrutiny from the Trump administration amid continued concern over violence against Christians in the West African nation.

The attack and takeover took place at St Mary’s School in Niger State. Local authorities did not immediately disclose the number of students and staff abducted, or who may face the attack. A Nigerian television broadcaster has said that 52 school children have been taken.

The Christian Association of Nigeria said on Saturday that 303 children and 12 teachers had been taken. The majority. Rev. Buluza Yohanna, the chairman of the Niger State of Can chapter, said the specific number was decided “after the verification exercise and the final population census was done.”

Nigerian police officials said the attacks took place in the early hours of Friday and that military and security forces were deployed to the community. They described St Mary’s as a secondary school serving children between the ages of 12 and 17.

The Niger State government secretary, Abubakar Usman, said in a statement that the incident took place despite the previous strategic set of increased threats.

“Unfortunately, St.

The kidnapping happened days later Olimi on Monday attacked a high school and kidnapped 25 students In the neighboring state of Kebbi, Maga, about 105 miles from Papiri. One of the girls later escaped and was safe, the school principal said.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu earlier this week canceled this weekend’s trip to the 20th summit after promising to step up recovery efforts.

“I have a sad heart for our daughters in Kebbi and the loss of the pain of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the arresting soldiers,” said Tinibu at the media house. “I have directed the security agencies to act quickly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”

Nigeria has just thrown into the spotlight President Trump they are building a country, saying that Christians are being persecuted – an allegation that the Nigerian government rejects.

“If the government of Nigeria continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may enter this country of ours,” said Mr. Trump in a social media copy earlier this month.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar rejected the claims of Mr. Trump replaced X earlier this month, saying “Nigeria is a God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, and inclusion.”

In October, Mr Trump named Nigeria as a “country of greatest concern” on a list of countries the State Department said violated religious freedom.

Earlier this week, Tinubu sent his national security adviser and a broad Nigerian delegation to Washington to meet with Trump’s legal authorities and administration officials, Reuters News reported on Friday.

The White House is considering Helsents and the Pentagon’s involvement in Counterterrorism as part of a plan to put pressure on Abuja to better protect Christian communities and the freedom of the US State, he told Reuters on Thursday.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Niger and Kebbi, but analysts and analysis centers say the bandits often target schools, travelers and remote residents for ransom. The authorities say that the suspected gunmen, especially the leaders, have taken arms and entered the farming communities behind them with heavy equipment.

The annexation has hidden to explain the insecurity in the most populous nation of Africa and the painful consequences.

1,500 students have been abducted in the district because Bo Haram Jihadi militants have captured 276 Chibok Schoolgirls more than a decade ago. But bandits also operate in the region, and analysts say gangs often target schools to get attention.

Analysts and residents blame the lack of security in the failure to prosecute known attackers and the collective deception that limits the weapons provided to the security forces while ensuring the demands of gangs.

The satellite view shows the school compound, in shape and form, surrounded by a wall and attached to the elementary school, with more than 50 classroom buildings and rest areas. It is located on the outskirts of Aguara town, along the Yelwa-Mokwa highway.