Pope Leo XIV has called for the immediate release of 315 people abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State. Speaking on Sunday, the Pontiff voiced deep distress over the mass kidnapping, which involved students, teachers, priests, and other members of the Catholic community. He made a “heartfelt plea for the swift and unconditional release” of all those being held. The attack reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday when armed men, said to be arriving on over 60 motorcycles and supported by a van, invaded the private Catholic school in a coordinated operation. During the assault, the school’s gatekeeper was shot and critically injured. Local sources confirmed the incident, which happened between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., but noted that the exact number of abducted students remains unverified. Another community source added that several teachers were also seized during the raid.
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