By The United States (U.S.) lawmaker, Riley Moore, has condemned the recent abduction of children and teachers from a Catholic school in Nigeria, aligning with the position of the U.S. State Department.
Moore, in a statement, said: “I stand with the U.S. State Department in condemning the horrific abduction of children and teachers from a Catholic school in Nigeria.” He further emphasized the need for global attention on the plight of Christians in the country.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Nigeria who are persecuted daily. No one should be targeted for their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the United States condemned the recent mass abductions in Niger and Kebbi states, describing the incidents as unacceptable and urging swift action from Nigerian authorities.
In a statement on Monday by the Bureau of African Affairs, the U.S. expressed deep concern over the recent kidnappings of students and teachers across Niger and Kebbi states in Nigeria.
“The United States condemns the mass abduction of reportedly over 300 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria and the kidnapping, just days before, of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State,” the statement read.
The U.S. emphasized the urgent need for enforcement measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Those responsible for these crimes must be swiftly captured and held accountable.”
The statement further called on the Nigerian government to strengthen security, particularly for Christian communities and schools that have increasingly come under attack.
“The Nigerian government must act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror.”
The U.S. emphasized that the protection of students and religious groups remains a critical requirement for peace and stability in affected regions.
Earlier reports confirmed that fifty pupils who were abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, Niger State, reportedly escaped and reunited with their parents, the school authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The escape comes just days after terrorists attacked the school and abducted a total of 303 pupils and students.
The pupils fled between Friday and Saturday but could not return to the school after escaping. The school administration verified their safe return by contacting and visiting the parents of the rescued pupils.
According to Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter, Proprietor of the school, and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, “as much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.”
The update was signed electronically by Daniel Atori, Media Aide to the Bishop, Most Rev. Yohanna.
“For the records, we now have 251 primary pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers still with their abductors,” the statement said.
“In the primary section, out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non-boarders.
“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils who escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 secondary students, making a total of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.”
Separately, reports confirmed that no fewer than 25 students were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, early Monday morning, according to confirmation by the Kebbi State Police Command. The attack, carried out by heavily armed bandits, left one staff member dead and another injured. This was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi.
