The Niger State in Nigeria has ordered the closure of all schools following a mass kidnapping incident in the region.
This comes after armed gunmen abducted students and teachers from St. Mary’s School in northwest Nigeria last week.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, more than 300 students and staff were taken from the Catholic school in the state.
There has been a surge in violent attacks by armed groups, including the kidnapping of dozens of students from two schools and a deadly assault on a church service.
These incidents marked the largest kidnapping of school children in the country since March 2024.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bako announced the closure of schools in the region, emphasising that the priority must be given to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted children.
–SABC–
