Nigeria School Abduction: 50 Children Escape, But Hundreds Remain Missing – tinubu Orders Police Recruitment
By Richard Kagoe and Wedaeli Chibelushi
World-Today-News.com – March 17, 2024
!AFP via Getty Images Shoes lie abandoned on a bunk bed in a school dormitory.
St Mary’s Catholic School in niger state remains closed after gunmen committed one of the worst abductions Nigeria has ever seen.
A wave of relief is sweeping through Nigeria following the escape of 50 children kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State on Friday. Though, the joy is tempered by the fact that 265 children and 12 teachers remain in captivity, sparking a massive military-led search and rescue operation.
The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed the safe return of the 50 students to their families. This latest abduction, one of the largest in Nigeria’s history, has prompted widespread fear and triggered school closures across multiple states.
Escalating Crisis & Goverment response
Authorities in Niger, Kebbi, Katsina, Yobe, and Kwara states have ordered the immediate shutdown of schools following the mass kidnapping in Niger and a separate incident in Kebbi state earlier this week, where 25 pupils were abducted from a boarding school.
In response to the escalating security crisis, nigerian President Bola tinubu has ordered the recruitment of an additional 30,000 police officers, signaling a meaningful effort to bolster security forces and address the growing threat of kidnapping.
Separate Hostage Release Offers glimmer of Hope
The news of the escaped children comes alongside the release of 38 people abducted from a church service in Kwara state last week. While two people tragically lost their lives during the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, the safe return of the hostages provides a small measure of hope amidst the widespread anxiety.
A Nation Gripped by Fear
The recent spate of abductions has plunged Nigeria into a state of national mourning and fear. The images of abandoned classrooms and the desperate pleas of parents have resonated deeply with the public. While the escape of 50 children is a positive development, the fate of the remaining hostages remains uncertain, leaving the nation on edge.
Keywords: Nigeria, School Abduction, Kidnapping, Niger State, Kebbi State, Bola Tinubu, Police Recruitment, Hostage Release, Kwara State, School Closures, Military Operation, Child Safety, Security Crisis.
