Human Rights Group Calls for Support of 100 Children Released after Abduction from Catholic Schools in Nigeria

Jos, 10 December, 2025 / 9:45 AM

Christin Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a UK-based human rights organization, has welcomed the release of 100 schoolchildren, who were among the 303 abducted on November 21 from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri community in Nigeria’s Niger State served by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora.

In a press release shared with ACI Africa on Tuesday, December 9, CSW officials have called on the Nigerian government to ensure that the children recover from their trauma.

Nigerian authorities reportedly secured the release of the children on December 7, although details of how this was achieved remain unclear.

Confirming the release to Catholic Pontifical and charity foundation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of the Diocese of Kontagora said, “It is true. So far, 100 children have been released. We thank God for everything.”

In the press release emailed to ACI Africa on December 9, CSW’s CEO Scot Bower expressed solidarity with the freed children and those close to them, saying,  “We wish these students and their families a swift and full recovery from this traumatic ordeal, and urge the Nigerian authorities to do all they can to assist with this.”

He added, “Nigerian citizens have been terrorised by multiple armed non-state actors for far too long and require urgent, effective protection.”

The CSW official challenged the Nigerian government to “spare no effort” in securing the release of every citizen who is currently in captivity, including the remaining students and staff members from the Catholic schools.

He also appealed to authorities in Nigeria to address the country’s unprecedented security crisis decisively, sourcing international assistance “wherever possible and whenever necessary.”

The release on December 7 leaves 153 students and 12 staff members in captivity.

Armed gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Niger State, abducting 239 nursery and primary school children, 14 secondary school children, and 12 staff members from the private boarding school.

The subsequent deaths of two parents, Anthony Musa, the father of three young abductees, and a mother of other children known only as Esther, have been attributed to trauma occasioned by the abductions. 

In a post on X United States Congressman Riley Moore, who has introduced a resolution addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and recently visited the nation, commended the December 7 rescue, which he described as ‘a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation.’

Congressman Moore added that he had discussed “concrete steps and actions” which he said, “if fully executed … will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the North-East and stop the killing of Christians … particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.” 

Nigeria is in the midst of an unprecedented and multifaceted security crisis, CSW has reported, adding that while the violence occurring in central areas, including Benue, southern Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Plateau and Taraba, bears a distinct religious colouration, in northwestern areas, such as Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara and the northern part of Kaduna State, it generally unfolds along ethnic lines.