Parents in Papiri, Nigeria, were joyfully reunited with their children abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School on November 21, when gunmen seized over 300 students and staff in a devastating mass abduction. Among the relieved parents was Luka Illaya, who expressed both joy and sorrow, celebrating the return of one son while mourning the continued captivity of another.
This incident has intensified concerns about the alarming increase in school kidnappings in Nigeria, which have become disturbingly frequent over the past decade as armed groups target educational institutions for ransom. The Papiri abduction represents the latest in a series of mass kidnappings, highlighting a national crisis.
Reverend Sister Felicia Gyang, the school principal, thanked security forces for their role in securing the release of the students but emphasized the urgent need for ongoing efforts to rescue those still in captivity. The Nigerian government has remained tight-lipped about specifics regarding the release operation, including whether a ransom was involved. Analysts suggest that abductions are often financially motivated, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures and the government’s commitment to citizens’ safety.
This incident recalls the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnapping, which spotlighted the issue on a global scale. President Bola Tinubu has since called for enhanced protection measures to safeguard children against such crimes. As the community in Papiri begins to heal, the focus is not only on the return of the remaining children but also on addressing the root causes of these abductions to prevent future occurrences.
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