Free Nigerian Students Recount Mass Kidnapping

Background of the St. Mary’s Catholic School Abduction

In the early hours of April 25, 2024, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in the northern state of Kaduna, seizing more than 80 pupils and several staff members. The attackers, identified by local authorities as part of a notorious insurgent group, demanded a multimillion‑dollar ransom and the release of imprisoned militants.

First‑hand Accounts from the Survivors

After three weeks of captivity, the remaining 57 students were finally released following intense negotiations and a daring rescue operation by the Nigerian military. In the days that followed, a handful of the freed children gathered at a temporary shelter in Kaduna City to share their experiences.

“We heard gunshots and then the doors were ripped off,” recalled 14‑year‑old Aisha Yusuf. “They shouted at us to stay quiet, otherwise they would kill us.”

Another survivor, 13‑year‑old Samuel Okonkwo, described the conditions inside the makeshift holding area: “We were kept in a cramped room, no windows, no food, and barely any water. Some of us fell ill because we were so scared and exhausted.”

Several students mentioned that the kidnappers forced them to march long distances under the cover of darkness, often stopping only to threaten them with violence. “They would beat anyone who tried to speak,” said 15‑year‑old Fatima Bello, her voice trembling as she remembered the ordeal.

Release and Immediate Aftermath

The release was secured after a combination of military pressure and a confidential payment negotiated by senior officials. The children emerged visibly shaken but alive, clutching worn‑out schoolbooks and a few personal belongings.

Humanitarian workers set up medical tents to treat dehydration, minor injuries, and the psychological trauma that the survivors displayed. “Their eyes are haunted,” noted Dr. Chinedu Nwankwo, a psychologist with the Red Cross, “and they will need long‑term counseling to recover fully.”

Reactions from Community and Authorities

Local leaders and religious figures condemned the attack, calling it a “blatant assault on education and innocence.” The governor of Kaduna State, Governor Musa Ibrahim, pledged additional security measures for schools across the region and announced a special fund to support the victims and their families.

International NGOs also voiced concern, urging the Nigerian government to intensify efforts against kidnapping networks that target schools. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a statement emphasizing the need for “comprehensive protection strategies for children in conflict‑prone areas.”

Looking Forward

While the immediate crisis has ended, the trauma endured by the survivors of St. Mary’s Catholic School will linger. Community groups have organized counseling sessions, and plans are underway to rebuild the damaged school facilities.

As one of the freed students poignantly expressed, “We want to go back to our classrooms, to learn, and to live without fear.” Their words serve as a reminder that education must be safeguarded, and that resilience can rise even from the darkest of experiences.