An unknown number of Christian students were kidnapped in the early hours of Tuesday (18) at the Government Girls Secondary School in Nigeria.
In a statement, Kebbi state authorities said that “a group of bandits invaded the school, firing randomly with sophisticated weapons. Police tactical units clashed armed, but the group had already scaled the wall and kidnapped 25 students.”
Sources of the Christian organization Open Doorswhich monitors the situation of religious persecution in the world, said that it was not yet possible to count the exact number of Christians taken by the kidnappers.
According to them, what is known so far is that the girls were taken to vegetation close to the school and their families have not yet been contacted in any way by the criminals.
Open Doors added that the total number of victims could be much higher than what was reported by the Nigerian press. Kidnappings of Christians have intensified in the northwest region of Nigeria in recent years.
According to the organization, kidnappings are a lucrative business in Nigeria as they serve as a means of impoverishing local communities, making them more vulnerable to violent attacks and forced conversions to other religions.
Furthermore, according to Open Doors, Christians may receive higher ransom demands, forcing them to sell land and properties to guarantee the return of their family members.
Recently, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, put pressure on the Nigerian government, accusing it of allowing the persecution of Christians in the country. The White House leader even suggested that his country could carry out a military intervention to interrupt this cycle of violence.
