Breaking: The Total Numbers Of Children That Were Kidnapped Are Above 300.

The number of children kidnapped during a school attack has risen to over 300.

On November 21, 2025, gunmen abducted children and staff from the dormitories of St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Nigeria. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a total of 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were taken during the assault on the Catholic school in Niger state, an increase from the previous count of 215.

This updated figure was provided following a verification process and a final count conducted by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN, who visited the school on Friday. He noted that 88 additional students were captured while attempting to escape during the attack, with the victims being both boys and girls aged between 10 and 18.

The kidnapping incident in the remote Papiri community occurred just four days after 25 schoolchildren were abducted under similar circumstances in Maga town, Kebbi state, located 170 kilometers away. No group has claimed responsibility for these kidnappings, and authorities have deployed tactical teams alongside local hunters to attempt to rescue the children.

Yohanna refuted claims from the state government that the school had reopened for classes, despite a prior directive for schools in that area to temporarily close due to security concerns. He stated, "We did not receive any circular. It must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame," urging families to "remain calm and prayerful."