Mass kidnapping of Nigerian children, including from Papiri school

EU Parliament resolution on the mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria (18 Dec 2025)

• On 21 Nov 2025 gunmen attacked St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, taking 303 students, 12 teachers and staff.
• About 50 children escaped; Nigerian authorities have secured the release of around 100 abducted children; many others remain missing.
• Since mid‑November 2025, over 400 people (mainly children) have been abducted across North‑Central Nigeria; most are still un‑released. Similar attacks have happened in Kebbi and Borno states.
• The attacks have forced the closure of schools, denying millions of children safe access to education.
• Nigeria’s security situation is worsening because of armed gangs and groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS. The government declared a national security emergency on 26 Nov 2025.
• Religious, ethnic and inter‑communal violence has destroyed churches, displaced people and caused many killings. Nigeria is the country most affected by violence against Christians, with nearly 17 000 killings (2019‑2023) and over 7 000 victims (since Jan 2025).

Key demands and actions of the resolution

1. Condemns the kidnapping at St Mary’s and all attacks on children, teachers, schools and religious sites.
2. Calls for the immediate, unconditional release of all remaining abductees and demands thorough, transparent investigations.
3. Urges the Nigerian federal and regional governments to strengthen school protection, fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, and accelerate early‑warning systems.
4. Expresses concern about school closures and urges authorities to minimise disruptions and keep children’s education going, offering alternative learning arrangements if needed.
5. Demands that Nigerian authorities intensify efforts to secure the release of civilians held by armed groups, protect schools and vulnerable communities, and prosecute those responsible in line with human‑rights law.
6. Highlights that poverty, lack of jobs and competition for scarce resources fuel insecurity in northern Nigeria.
7. Urges Nigeria and the international community to end violence against Christians and other groups, stop impunity, and protect civilians.
8. Instructs the EU President to forward the resolution to the European Commission, the Council, the Vice‑President for Human Rights, and to Nigeria’s government and parliament.