Speaking on Sunday, the Pontiff expressed deep distress over
the mass kidnapping, which included students, teachers, priests, and other
members of the Catholic community.

“I received with profound sorrow the news of the abduction
of priests, faithful, and schoolchildren. I make a heartfelt plea for the swift
and unconditional release of all those being held,” Pope Leo XIV said.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday when armed
men reportedly invaded the private Catholic school in a well-coordinated
operation.

According to local sources, the assailants arrived in large
numbers, riding on more than 60 motorcycles and supported by a van, before
forcing their way into the premises.

During the assault, the school’s gatekeeper was shot and
left critically injured.

A resident of Agwarra confirmed the incident, noting that
the exact number of abducted students has yet to be verified.

“It happened between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.. The number of
students taken is still unclear,” the source said.

Another community source added that several teachers were
also seized during the raid, raising further concerns about the scale of the
attack and the safety of the victims.