Pope Leo Appeals For Release Of Kidnapped Schoolchildren in Nigeria

Pope Leo Appeals for Release of Nigerian Schoolchildren, Priests as Groups Urge UN, ICC to Probe Alleged Christian Genocide

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for the immediate release of children and staff abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria, describing the incident as one of the worst mass kidnappings in the country’s history.

Armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in northwest Nigeria on Friday, abducting students and teachers in a wave of attacks that has forced the government to shut down 47 schools. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) initially reported 227 victims but revised the figure to 315 after a verification exercise. The organisation also confirmed that 50 students escaped from captivity.

During his address at St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo expressed profound sorrow over the kidnappings in Nigeria and a separate incident in Cameroon where six Catholic priests and a Baptist pastor were abducted.

“I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students,” the Pope said. “I feel deep sorrow, especially for the many abducted boys and girls and their anguished families. I appeal for their immediate release and urge the competent authorities to take appropriate and timely decisions to secure their liberation.”

He called on the global Christian community to pray “that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope.”

Growing Security Crisis

Friday’s abduction adds to a disturbing spike in attacks targeting vulnerable communities across Nigeria. The worsening situation has drawn international attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatening military action over what he described as the persecution of Christians by radical Islamist groups in the country.

Pope Leo reiterated his appeal at the close of mass, stressing again his “great pain” for the kidnapped victims.

Calls for International Investigation Into Alleged Christian Genocide

Meanwhile, the Christian Social Movement of Nigeria (CSMN), alongside a coalition of Christian and civil society organisations, has called on the United Nations Security Council and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to immediately dispatch investigators to Nigeria. Their demand seeks to verify what the groups describe as ongoing genocide against Christians.

Reading a joint statement during an online briefing, Bosun Emmanuel, representing the coalition, insisted that there is “incontrovertible evidence” of systematic killings of Christians by Islamist groups.

He argued that:

• Claims denying the genocide do not invalidate its occurrence.

• The burden of proof rests on survivors and victims, not perpetrators.

• Under international humanitarian law, the U.S. is legally empowered to intervene in Nigeria.

“We affirm without equivocation that there is genocide against Christians in Nigeria, perpetrated by Islamic groups, and that even as we speak today, this genocide is ongoing,” the coalition stated.

The groups criticized narratives suggesting that attacks on Muslims negate claims of Christian genocide, describing such arguments as “misrepresentations of what constitutes genocide” under Article II of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

The coalition also extended gratitude to international figures including Nicki Minaj, who recently raised concerns about Christian persecution at the United Nations, and media personality Bill Maher, for amplifying Nigeria’s crisis on global platforms.

Signatories to the Petition

The joint statement was endorsed by several organisations and leaders, including:

• Dr. Nwankwo Nwaezeigwe (International Coalition Against Christian Genocide in Nigeria)

• Dr. S. D. Gani (National Christian Elders Forum)

• Elder Sunday Oibe (Lay Faith Trust Foundation)

• Jonathan Akuns (Middle Belt Voice)

• Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi (Apostolic Round Table)

• Prof. Kontein Trinya (The National Prayer Altar)

• Rev. James Pam (Plateau State Indigenous Independent Ministers’ Association)

• Mark Lipdo (Stefanos Foundation)

• Prophet Isa El Buba (Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria)

• Dr. Paul Gadzama (Education Must Continue)

• Dr. Rotimi Olokodana (The Missions House)

• Kingsley Ayinde (God’s Sovereign Army of Intercessors)

• Dr. Immanuel David (Voice of Truth Agents)

• Dr. Luke Shehu (Arewa Christian Indigenous Pastors Association)

• Mrs. Laide Okafor (Wailing Women Worldwide)

• Prof. Ashong Ashong (Nigerian Christian Graduate Fellowship)