Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Nigerian embassy in Madrid on Saturday to protest the wave of school kidnappings in Nigeria and demand stronger international and domestic action. The rally was sparked by the abduction of more than 250 students from a Catholic school in northern Nigeria last week, which rights groups say is part of a years‑long pattern of mass student kidnappings.
Christiana Wariboko, president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, told the crowd they were speaking “on behalf of Christians” and urged foreign governments and institutions to intervene over what she described as continued killings of Nigerian Christians. The Madrid protest also highlighted a separate attack on a predominantly Muslim school in Kebbi State, where 30 students were seized before being freed by authorities, underscoring that kidnappers target schools of different faiths, often for ransom.
The demonstrations come amid heightened international attention, including recent comments by US President Donald Trump threatening possible military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians by Islamist groups. Nigerian officials have responded that such rhetoric oversimplifies a complex security crisis driven by criminal banditry, weak local security and socio‑economic grievances, and insist the government is committed to protecting religious freedom.
At home, anger is boiling over what many see as government inaction. Parents of pupils abducted from St. Mary Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara LGA of Niger State also protested on Saturday, accusing state and federal authorities of negligence and slow response to securing the release of their children and teachers.
Armed men attacked the school on 21 November, taking more than 300 pupils and 12 teachers; about 50 children escaped after two days, but the rest remain in captivity. Over 200 parents travelled, some for up to four hours, to register themselves and their wards at the school after a government directive, carrying placards reading “Bring Back Our Girls” and “Is Education a Crime?”
Church officials say the registration is meant to compile accurate data to aid negotiations and support. Rev. Fr. Stephen Okafor, the school’s Director of Communication, and Fr. Linus Arege confirmed that 215 parents had been documented under diocesan and local supervision, while Kontagora Bishop Bulus Yohanna expressed hope and urged continued prayers for the safe return of those still held.
Some parents criticised authorities for initially denying that the mass abduction took place. Joseph Dimas, whose son Julius was taken, called on government to stop “saying what is not true” and instead act decisively, while another parent, Emmanuel Ejeh, lamented that older cohorts had passed through the school without ever facing such attacks.
School leaders, including Principal Rev. Sis. Felicia Gyam and Headmistress Blessing Amodu, say they remain deeply traumatised and insist there was no prior warning before the gunmen struck. They have appealed to security agencies, political leaders, religious bodies and the international community to help ensure the safe rescue of the remaining pupils and staff, warning that repeated attacks risk destroying education for children across more than 50 communities the school serves.
About the author
Niger turns to Nigerian ports amid diplomatic row with Benin Republic
The move comes as Niger and Benin continue efforts to resolve a border dispute that has disrupted cross-border trade and complicated Niger’s use of Benin’s ports.bbc+1 Niger has depended heavily on Benin’s ports, particularly the Sèmè-Kpodji terminal, to move crude oil and other imports and exports. However, relations deteriorated after the July 2023 military coup in Niger, with disputes over border closures, security concerns and the movement of goods deepening tensions between Niamey and Cotonou.wikipedia+3 Benin previously blocked Niger’s oil exports through its territory, insisting that Niger reopen its side of their shared border to goods from Benin. Nigerien authorities maintained that the border restrictions were driven by security concerns, while also accusing Benin of violating trade agreements.bbc+2 Nigeria’s ports offer Niger an alternative route to international markets, particularly for imports and transit cargo. This could support trade flows while […]
Tension in Anambra as suspected cultists kill popular advertiser, one other
The attacks were reported in Awka on Sunday, with residents expressing fear as police and other security agencies moved to investigate the killings. Aiza was widely known in Awka as a mobile advertiser, DJ and media personality. Reports said he was shot by gunmen in an attack believed to be linked to cult-related violence, though police had not publicly established a motive at the time of reporting. A second man was also reportedly killed in a separate shooting incident, heightening anxiety among residents. The Anambra State Police Command has previously urged witnesses to provide useful information confidentially as it investigates violent attacks and works to identify those responsible.premiumtimesng+3 Authorities are expected to provide further details on the identities of the victims, the circumstances of the attacks and any arrests as the investigation progresses.
Iran FM accuses ‘serpent’ Netanyahu of tricking US into war
Araghchi alleged that Netanyahu privately boasted in Hebrew about influencing Washington, while publicly praising US President Donald Trump’s leadership in English.arabnews+1 “In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi said in a post on X. He further alleged that the Israeli leader had spoken about influencing America through “1,000 hours of airtime on US networks.”english.aawsat+1 Araghchi contrasted those alleged remarks with Netanyahu’s public comments in English commending President Trump’s leadership, ending his message with the word, “Serpent.” The accusation comes amid renewed tensions after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.abs-cbn+3 The US said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway, while Iran later launched missiles and drones toward US […]
US strikes Iran for first time in a month, Tehran retaliates
US Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when American forces struck the launchers on Sunday.globalnation.inquirer+1 The strikes came as hostilities between Washington and Tehran had appeared to be subsiding, nearly six months into the conflict. CENTCOM said it was closely monitoring the area and remained ready to protect the free flow of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.abs-cbn+3 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently launched a missile-and-drone attack targeting US air bases in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Jordan said its military intercepted eight missiles after they entered the country’s airspace, with no damage reported. The US action was its first military strike against Iran since late July, after President Donald Trump shifted towards an economic-pressure campaign aimed at securing concessions from Tehran. The Strait […]
Nepal begins burials as flood death toll rises to 752
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said decomposing bodies were being temporarily buried to protect public health, with DNA samples taken so families can later retrieve remains for traditional funeral rites.economictimes In Hindu-majority Nepal, the dead are normally cremated, but authorities said they lacked sufficient freezer capacity and appealed for international support, estimating a need for more than 1,000 additional units. Rai told reporters that all buried victims were carefully recorded and marked, following Red Cross protocols, and that families would be allowed to exhume the bodies for necessary rituals once identified.economictimes The updated toll from Nepal’s disaster ministry on Sunday stood at 752 bodies recovered and 2,502 people missing, including 589 foreign nationals. Chinese state media reported 16 dead and 546 missing in Tibet, bringing the combined death toll to 768 and the total number unaccounted for to more than […]
2027: Don’t set Nigeria on fire, NILDS boss warns political actors
Speaking on the Newsmen Personality Interview Series in Abuja, Sulaiman urged politicians to embrace issue-based campaigns and inclusive politics to protect the country’s democracy.vanguardngr+1 Sulaiman cautioned against vulgar statements, hate speech and actions capable of threatening national unity or heightening tensions unnecessarily as electioneering activities gather momentum. He said NILDS is finalising plans to convene a political communication summit to address the quality of campaign messaging and public discourse.vanguardngr+1 “Our appeal is that our campaign utterances should be issue-based. We should avoid vulgar statements. We should avoid statements that could set the country on fire,” he said. He also appealed to political parties and politicians not to take Nigerians for granted, but to promote inclusive politics for marginalised groups, especially women and youth
Related
Iran FM accuses ‘serpent’ Netanyahu of tricking US into war
Araghchi alleged that Netanyahu privately boasted in Hebrew about influencing Washington, while publicly praising US President Donald Trump’s leadership in English.arabnews+1 “In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi said in a post on X. He further alleged that the Israeli leader had spoken about influencing America through “1,000 hours of airtime on US networks.”english.aawsat+1 Araghchi contrasted those alleged remarks with Netanyahu’s public comments in English commending President Trump’s leadership, ending his message with the word, “Serpent.” The accusation comes amid renewed tensions after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.abs-cbn+3 The US said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway, while Iran later launched missiles and drones toward US […]
US strikes Iran for first time in a month, Tehran retaliates
US Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when American forces struck the launchers on Sunday.globalnation.inquirer+1 The strikes came as hostilities between Washington and Tehran had appeared to be subsiding, nearly six months into the conflict. CENTCOM said it was closely monitoring the area and remained ready to protect the free flow of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.abs-cbn+3 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently launched a missile-and-drone attack targeting US air bases in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Jordan said its military intercepted eight missiles after they entered the country’s airspace, with no damage reported. The US action was its first military strike against Iran since late July, after President Donald Trump shifted towards an economic-pressure campaign aimed at securing concessions from Tehran. The Strait […]
Nepal begins burials as flood death toll rises to 752
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said decomposing bodies were being temporarily buried to protect public health, with DNA samples taken so families can later retrieve remains for traditional funeral rites.economictimes In Hindu-majority Nepal, the dead are normally cremated, but authorities said they lacked sufficient freezer capacity and appealed for international support, estimating a need for more than 1,000 additional units. Rai told reporters that all buried victims were carefully recorded and marked, following Red Cross protocols, and that families would be allowed to exhume the bodies for necessary rituals once identified.economictimes The updated toll from Nepal’s disaster ministry on Sunday stood at 752 bodies recovered and 2,502 people missing, including 589 foreign nationals. Chinese state media reported 16 dead and 546 missing in Tibet, bringing the combined death toll to 768 and the total number unaccounted for to more than […]
Missing persons in Nepal, China floods soar to nearly 3,000
Rescuers in Nepal and Tibet are racing against time to find survivors after a tsunami-like surge of water, ice and debris engulfed communities in the Himalayas, with the threat of further flooding hampering operations.euronews+1 Nepal reported 626 deaths and 2,426 people out of contact, including 517 foreign trekkers and pilgrims, after officials added 933 missing hydropower workers to the toll. Across the border in Tibet, Chinese authorities reported seven deaths and 554 missing people, bringing the combined missing figure close to 3,000.france24+3 The floods struck on Wednesday after what the US Geological Survey said was a glacial collapse that unleashed a huge torrent of icy debris downstream. Entire riverside settlements were swept away, while some bodies may have been carried as far as India, according to reports.dawn+2 Rescue teams have faced severe challenges, including widespread destruction, dwindling food and water […]
Nepal floods: Nearly 1,500 missing, including tourists, as death toll rises
Rescuers used helicopters to search for survivors and deliver emergency supplies after a wall of ice, mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, triggering devastating floods in Nepal and neighbouring Tibet. The disaster struck on Wednesday along a route linking Kathmandu with Lhasa that is popular with trekkers and pilgrims. Nepalese authorities said more than 650 foreign nationals remained unaccounted for, while the number of missing local residents was still being assessed.reuters+1 In Nepal, officials had located around 100 previously missing Indian visitors and 25 Chinese workers in the worst-hit Trishuli area. India said 288 of its nationals were still missing in Nepal, while a further 200 were stranded in China. Across the border in Tibet’s Gyirong County, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported 558 people missing, including 260 foreign nationals. Reuters reported that the missing foreign visitors in Nepal […]
US hopeful Hormuz Strait deal will be done ‘today or tomorrow’ after ship hit
Washington is expressing optimism that talks involving Iran and Oman will soon restore safe passage for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil supplies. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC there is “a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict,” saying any agreement would ensure freedom of movement rather than allow Iran to charge tolls. His comments echoed President Donald Trump, who said progress in talks had led him to hold off on further military strikes while negotiators work on a framework to reopen the waterway. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US is “involved” in negotiations between Oman and Iran aimed at increasing safe traffic through the strait, noting that around 20 per cent of global […]