Pope Calls for Immediate Release of Abducted Students in Nigeria

Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong appeal for the immediate release of more than 300 students and members of the Christian community who were abducted in a series of mass kidnappings across Nigeria. The Pope made the call during a prayer session at the Vatican, where he expressed deep concern over the rising wave of abductions targeting schoolchildren and worshippers in parts of the country.

According to Vatican officials who briefed international correspondents, the Pope described the ongoing attacks as “deeply troubling” and urged the global community to stand in solidarity with the affected families. He extended prayers for the safe return of all victims, noting that no society can progress when its children and faithful are unsafe.

The appeal follows multiple reports from local security agencies and community leaders indicating that armed groups have intensified their activities in northern and central Nigeria. In one of the most recent incidents, hundreds of students were reportedly taken from school premises in what authorities have described as a coordinated assault. The exact number of abducted individuals remains unclear, but early figures provided by local monitors suggest that the victims exceed 300, according to independent security updates from the affected regions.

Church officials in Nigeria have also voiced alarm over the escalating crisis. They described the situation as a national emergency that requires immediate and decisive action. A senior official of the Christian community stated that many parents have been left in anguish, unsure of the fate of their children, as negotiations and rescue efforts continue.

International human rights groups have equally condemned the kidnappings. According to multiple advocacy organisations monitoring the situation, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in mass abductions driven largely by criminal networks seeking ransom payments. The groups urged authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable communities and ensure the quick recovery of the victims.

The Pope’s message, widely reported by religious news platforms, is expected to draw further global attention to the plight of the abducted students. He prayed that peace, safety, and justice would prevail in Nigeria, and called on government leaders to intensify efforts to protect all citizens, especially children, from violence and exploitation.

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