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

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.

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

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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.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.