Church officials say 50 of the 303 children taken from a Catholic school in north-central Nigeria’s Niger state have escaped and are now reunited with family members, while the pope called for the immediate release of those still missing.
The school authority announced on Sunday that fifty of the 303 schoolchildren abducted from the Catholic school had escaped captivity and returned to their families. The account came from the institution that runs the school and was shared as families began dealing with the shock and relief. Local leaders and church staff have been coordinating to verify identities and support the children. The pace of reunions has been cautious and deliberate to ensure each return is confirmed.
The incident took place at a Catholic school in north-central Nigeria’s Niger state, where the abduction drew attention from religious and international observers. The mass kidnapping left whole classrooms emptied and sent parents scrambling for news. School administrators described frantic calls and long hours as they tried to trace students. Community volunteers and church officials joined in the early efforts to account for every child.
In Rome, the pope called for the immediate release of those still missing, urging swift and humane action to bring the children home. The appeal added a global voice to local pleas for safety and accountability. Church leaders emphasized pastoral care for the families of the returned children and for those who remain unaccounted for. The pope’s words were a reminder of the moral urgency felt by many around the world.
Parents whose children returned described a mix of exhaustion and relief, with many needing immediate emotional and medical attention after their ordeal. Communities have been setting up temporary support systems for the children and their families, focusing on basic needs and the first steps of recovery. School officials said they were collecting information to pass to authorities who could follow up on the circumstances. Local clinics and social services have been asked to help with follow-up care.
Officials did not release a full timeline of the abduction or escape, and details about how the fifty children got free remain limited. The school authority’s statement emphasized the priority of keeping families informed while protecting the safety of those still missing. Investigations are reportedly ongoing, but information has been slow to emerge in a tense environment. That lack of clarity has left many questions about responsibility and motive unanswered.
The abduction has renewed concerns about security for students and teachers in parts of the region, where attacks on schools have at times disrupted education. Church and civic leaders say these incidents can have long-lasting effects on local schooling and community trust. Calls for improved protection of schools and safer routes to classrooms have multiplied in response to the latest event. Parents are now weighing whether and how to send their children back to class while questions about safety remain.
For the Catholic community involved, the event has been especially traumatic, touching not just families but the parish and broader network of schools. Church officials are working to provide counseling and spiritual support alongside practical assistance. The school authority has made clear that restoring a sense of normalcy will be a slow process, and that patience will be needed. Meanwhile, prayers and solidarity have been offered by congregations near and far.
As the reunited children settle back with family members, attention remains on those who have not yet been found and on the next steps for justice and prevention. Authorities and church leaders face mounting pressure to identify the perpetrators and to prevent further attacks on educational institutions. In the weeks ahead, families, schools, and officials will be watching closely for progress in efforts to locate the missing students and to strengthen protections for children across the region.
