Kidnapping

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.

Witnesses reportedly chased off the suspect, preventing the abduction in the city’s main Sokolov Street.

Azzam had consumed on social media, including on the Telegram app, Hamas-related content.

Haymanot Kasau’s family accused police of neglect nearly two years after she disappeared, telling MKs her case would be treated differently if she weren’t Ethiopian.

According to the report, Peri's mission was to assemble the team of kidnappers, which consisted of eight people - most of them Israelis with a security background.