Lagos, Nigeria — hundreds of people rallied outside the Nigerian embassy in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday, November 29, 2025, to protest the abduction of Christians from a Catholic school in northern Nigeria.
The demonstration, organized by Christian groups, was a response to the recent kidnapping of over 250 students and teachers from St. Mary Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State on November 21, 2025. Protesters, including Christiana Wariboko, president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, are calling for international aid organizations and governments to intervene and address the escalating violence against Christians in the country.
Security experts suggest that the attacks and kidnappings are often driven by financial motives, with schools being prime targets due to inadequate security measures. The broader context of violence includes a recent raid on a predominantly Muslim school in Kebbi State, where 30 students were abducted before being released by authorities.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency and increased police deployments in response to the attacks. Since 2014, there have been at least twelve mass abductions in the country, raising concerns about the safety of citizens and the effectiveness of security measures.
“This is not just about the abducted students; it’s about the safety and security of all Nigerians,” Wariboko said during the protest. “We need international support to put an end to these senseless acts of violence.”
The protest in Spain coincides with a broader wave of concern about the situation in Nigeria, where Christians have been targeted in various attacks. The Nigerian government’s response has been met with mixed reactions, with some critics arguing that it has not been sufficient to address the root causes of the violence.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian government is working to negotiate the release of the abducted students from St. Mary Catholic School. However, the situation remains volatile, and the safety of all Nigerians is a matter of grave concern.
Source: Africa
