Gunmen abducted more than 200 students from a Catholic boarding school in western Nigeria on Friday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said.

The attack took place at St. Mary’s School in Papiri, within the Agwara local government area of Niger State. CAN spokesperson Daniel Atori said 215 students and 12 teachers were taken.

“I just returned to the village tonight after visiting the school and meeting with parents,” Atori said, citing Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa, CAN chairman in Niger. The association said it is working to “ensure our children’s safe return.”

The Niger State Police Command confirmed the abductions occurred in the early hours of Friday, with military and security forces dispatched to the area. St. Mary’s serves students aged 12 to 17.

The incident is the latest in a series of school kidnappings in Nigeria, underscoring persistent security challenges in the country.