Pope Leo XIV has appealed for the immediate release of more than 300 students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State.
The mass kidnapping, one of the largest in recent years, has sparked local and international concern.
“I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon,” the Pope said during his Sunday address on November 23.
He added, “I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages,” noting his “deep sorrow, especially for the many young boys and girls kidnapped and for their anguished families”.
The Pope urged prayers so that “churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope”.
The attackers were reported to have descended on the school in the early hours of Friday, arriving on more than 60 motorcycles and a van.
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Witnesses said the gunmen shot the gatekeeper and moved swiftly to seize both pupils and teachers. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) initially said over 300 people had been taken.
A resident confirmed the incident, saying, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.” Another source noted that teachers were among those taken.
The kidnapping came days after 25 girls were abducted from a school in Kebbi State, and shortly after an attack on a Kwara church that left two dead and dozens kidnapped.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of CAN in Niger State and the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, later updated the number of abductees to 315 after a detailed verification.
He explained that more students were discovered missing after parents reported their children had not returned.
He said the final tally included 303 students and 12 teachers. “This now makes it 303 students, including 12 teachers, bringing the total number of abducted persons to 315,” he said.