Kidnapping

The Christian Association of Nigeria has said 303 children and 12 school staff were kidnapped on November 21 by gunmen at St. Mary's Catholic boarding school.

Archbishop Henry Ndakuba said Venerable Edwin Achi, seized with his wife and daughter from their home in Kaduna state on October 28, was murdered after spending about a month in captivity.

Mass kidnappings for ransom have become common in northern Nigeria, where armed gangs target schools and rural communities, often overwhelming local security forces.

Here’s what to know about the recent wave of kidnappings and deadly attacks in Nigeria, who is behind them, and how the government is responding to the worsening security crisis.

Families allowed limited contact with their abducted loved ones said they seemed gaunt, exhausted and much thinner than when they were taken.

At least 227 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary's Catholic School in Nigeria, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria.

"The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary's School," said the Niger State government.

The assailants, armed with rifles and reportedly using coordinated tactics, stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 1 a.m. local time.

"I can't have children, so I stole the newborn, but i already regret it," the suspect told investigators.

Government staff in Niger must travel in armored vehicles and observe a mandatory curfew, the department said, and restaurants and open-air markets are off limits to them.