Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
31. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she is aware of the recent abduction of over 300 students and staff from St Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria; if her Department can offer any diplomatic assistance or advice including support through EU diplomatic mechanisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72759/25]
View answerI remain deeply concerned by the abduction, and ongoing detention, of children and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria on 21 November. The Government strongly condemns this and other recent abductions in Nigeria, and joins all calls for the swift and safe release of the children and teachers. I am encouraged by the news that 100 children have been rescued and hope they and all those still in captivity can return to their families as soon as possible.
The Government of Nigeria declared a security emergency in the aftermath of the abductions, and sought to redeploy additional police and army personnel to the region. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser visited St. Mary’s School community in early December and emphasised the Government’s commitment to securing the safe return of all abducted students and staff. President Tinubu has welcomed the recent return of 100 students, and stated that both the federal and the Niger State governments are working closely to reunite those who remain abducted with their families as swiftly as possible.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Nigeria and officials at our Embassy in Abuja, in cooperation with the EU, are monitoring the situation closely, and maintaining contact with Nigerian authorities in their efforts to locate and free all those abducted. Our officials in Nigeria are also in regular contact with the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, the order managing the school in the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora and Kontagora and I have written to the District Leader of the OLA Sisters in Ireland to assure her of the Government’s support. My Department has spoken at senior official level with the Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Nigeria in Dublin to express our deep concern about the kidnapping and the safety of the abducted children and teachers from St. Mary’s school. In addition, officials have raised the case at EU level.
Through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland provides some €2.5 million annually for humanitarian and development projects in Nigeria, implemented by a number of partners on the ground. Ireland also supports peacebuilding in the greater Lake Chad Basin, and specifically in Nigeria, in areas such as mediation and reconciliation forums addressing resource conflicts. We will continue to prioritise the strengthening of peace and security in Nigeria and the broader region, as well as addressing persistent development challenges including poverty levels. We will also continue to work with all relevant partners in the country to support St Mary's School, and will continue to use every opportunity that arises to press for progress on the safe return of the abducted children and staff.
