The attack occurred during a Friday raid on St. Mary’s school, where armed men seized 303 children along with 12 teachers, marking one of the country’s largest mass kidnappings to date.

The abducted boys and girls—aged 8 to 18—make up nearly half of the school’s 629 enrolled students, underscoring the scale of the operation.

Fifty Children Escape Captors

Fifty pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and reunited with their families, according to community leaders.

Parents were urged to continue prayers as more than 250 children and teachers remain missing. Officials have not released an updated federal tally, leaving uncertainty around the total number still held.

Wave of School Attacks

The abduction followed another raid days earlier in neighboring Kebbi State, where 25 girls were taken.

Armed groups frequently target remote boarding schools with limited security, a pattern that has intensified since the 2014 kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Chibok.

Families across several states have demanded stronger protections as school closures widen.

National and International Reactions

Religious leaders issued appeals for the immediate release of all captives, expressing profound concern for the children and their families.

Meanwhile, federal authorities confirmed the rescue of 38 abductees from a separate attack on a church in Kwara State, where two people were killed.

Political leaders condemned the broader surge in kidnappings, warning of growing threats against students and rural communities.