Free Nigerian Students Recount Mass Kidnapping

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 8 min read 100% complete by Ruth Maclean, Ismail Auwal and Taibat AjiboyeDecember 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM

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In November 2025, 253 students and 12 staff members were abducted from St. Mary's Catholic School in northwest Nigeria. Gunmen stormed the school in the night, forcing students, some as young as four, from their beds. This mass kidnapping is the largest in Nigeria since the 2014 Chibok abduction by Boko Haram. The kidnappings highlight the growing insecurity in Nigeria, where armed groups often target boarding schools serving poor, rural communities. While 99 students were released, 154 remain captive, leaving the community shattered and frustrated with the government's response.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Nigeria ×560% St. Mary's Catholic School ×470% Boko Haram ×280%

Keywords

mass kidnapping 90% nigeria 80% st. mary's catholic school 80% student abduction 70% insecurity 60% religious groups 50% boarding schools 50% armed groups 50% boko haram 50%