Gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped 303 students and teachers at a Catholic school in the northwest on Friday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said, the latest in a spate of school attacks this week that has forced the government to shut 47 colleges.
Friday's incident in Niger state was the largest mass kidnapping of school children since the March 2024 abduction of more than 200 students in northern Kaduna state.
Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the CAN chairman in Niger said he had travelled to the school. He said some students managed to escape, but gave no details.
Earlier, police and local government officials in Niger state confirmed the kidnapping from St. Mary's School, but they did not say how many.
Nigeria's security situation has been under heightened scrutiny since U.S. President Donald Trump threatened "fast" military action if the country fails to crack down on the killing of Christians.
In the first high-level meeting between the U.S. and Nigeria since Trump's threat, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth wrote on X that he met Nigeria's national security advisor on Thursday to discuss the persecution of Christians.
Nigeria's government says Trump's claims that Christians face persecution in Nigeria are a misrepresentation.
Police said security agencies were on the scene of Friday's attack on the Catholic school, combing nearby forests to try to rescue those abducted.
The Niger state government said the school had ignored an instruction that boarding schools should be closed because of intelligence indicating a high chance of attacks.
Other attacks this week include the kidnapping on Monday of 25 schoolgirls from a boarding school in Kebbi state and an attack on a church in Kwara state, in which a church official told Reuters that 38 worshippers were taken by gunmen.
The church official said the gunmen had issued a ransom demand of 100 million naira (roughly $69,000) per worshipper.
Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states border one another.
This week's attacks prompted Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to cancel trips to South Africa and Angola, where he was due to attend a G20 summit and an African Union-European Union summit.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has formally asked Russia to take a decision on restoring strategic railway sections linking Armenia to the bo...
The UK economy grew more strongly than expected in November, according to official figures, offering signs of resilience after months of weak performa...
Canada and China have signalled a reset in bilateral relations during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Beijing, with both sides ...
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition ...
U.S. citizens in Iran have been advised to leave the country as soon as possible, amid growing instability in the region and concerns that travel rout...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has formally asked Russia to take a decision on restoring strategic railway sections linking Armenia to the borders of Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave and Türkiye, as part of broader efforts to reopen transport corridors in the South Caucasus.
Canada and China have signalled a reset in bilateral relations during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Beijing, with both sides highlighting progress toward closer cooperation after years of strained ties.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
Russia has said it is ready to act as a mediator between Iran and the United States as tensions escalate over protests in Iran and warnings of possible military action.
The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
Israel and Arab States have urged the U.S. to delay any potential military action against Iran, warning that such a move could undermine ongoing protests inside the country, according to NBC News.
Romania has reiterated its openness to discussions on a potential unification with neighbouring Republic of Moldova, following recent remarks by Moldova’s president.
Canada and China have signalled a reset in bilateral relations during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first official visit to Beijing, with both sides highlighting progress toward closer cooperation after years of strained ties.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
The foreign ministers of Iran and India have held high-level talks by telephone, discussing bilateral ties as well as a range of regional and international issues, against the backdrop of continuing tensions in the Middle East.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 15th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A crane collapse at a construction site near Bangkok has killed two people and injured five others on Thursday, Thai police said, a day after a separate crane accident derailed a train in northeastern Thailand, killing dozens.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment