Pope Dey Beg Kidnappers To Free 265 Pupils And Teachers As 50 Students Escape For Nigeria Mass Abduction

Fifty of di 303 schoolchildren wey gunmen abduct from one Catholic school for Niger State don escape captivity and reunite with dia families, according to di school authorities, bring small relief to some parents after one of di biggest school kidnappings for Nigeria history. Di children, aged 10 to 18, escape one by one between Friday and Saturday, according to Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for Niger State and proprietor of di school. Pope Leo don call for immediate release of di remaining schoolchildren and staff. A total of 253 pupils and 12 teachers still dey with di kidnappers, Mr Yohanna talk for statement, add say dem confirm am after contacting and visiting some parents. Di pupils and teachers bin dey seized by gunmen wey attack St Mary’s School for remote Papiri community on Friday. Up till now, no group don claim responsibility and authorities never give update on rescue efforts.

Di school dey near di Yelwa–Mokwa major road, inside region wey armed gangs dey operate from big forests wey link conflict hotspots. Yohanna talk say even though dem happy say 50 children don escape, prayers still dey needed for rescue of di remaining victims. Pope Leo, for St Peter’s Square, say him dey “deeply saddened” and beg for immediate release of all hostages, urging authorities to take quick action. School kidnappings don become common for Nigeria, with more than 1,500 students seized since di Chibok girls case, as armed gangs dey target schools to draw attention. Di Niger State kidnapping happen four days after 25 schoolchildren were seized for neighbouring Kebbi State. Niger State don quickly shut down all schools, and federal colleges for hotspots don also close. Meanwhile, di kidnappings dey happen as U.S. President Donald Trump dey accuse Nigeria of “Christian persecution,” even though attacks dey affect both Christians and Muslims, as seen for di Kebbi school attack wey happen for Muslim-majority area.