In a devastating early morning raid, armed assailants stormed St Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger state, Nigeria, kidnapping over 300 children and staff. The attack, which occurred around 02:00 local time on Friday, marks one of the largest mass abductions in the country’s history. Initial reports estimated 215 victims, but the Christian Association of Nigeria later revised the figure to 303 students and 12 teachers after a thorough verification process. The school, a Catholic institution, had reportedly ignored government orders to close its boarding facilities despite intelligence warnings of heightened security risks. Local police and security agencies are now conducting extensive search operations in nearby forests to rescue the abducted individuals. The incident has sparked widespread fear and anger across Nigeria, with citizens demanding stronger government action to protect schools and communities. This kidnapping is the third such attack in Nigeria within a week, following the abduction of over 20 Muslim schoolgirls in Kebbi state and a church attack in Kwara state that left two dead and 38 kidnapped. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has postponed his foreign engagements, including the G20 summit in South Africa, to address the escalating security crisis. The central government has also ordered the closure of more than 40 federal colleges and public schools in several states. The rising insecurity has fueled public outrage, with many calling for more effective measures to combat the growing threat of criminal gangs, locally known as bandits, who frequently kidnap for ransom. Despite the government’s ban on ransom payments, the practice continues to thrive, exacerbating the crisis. The mass abduction has also reignited debates about religious persecution in Nigeria, with U.S. right-wing figures, including former President Donald Trump, accusing Islamist militants of targeting Christians. However, the Nigerian government has dismissed these claims, stating that terrorist attacks affect people of all faiths and are often driven by resource competition rather than religion.