More than 300 schoolchildren were kidnapped from a Catholic school in Papiri village, Niger state, Nigeria, sparking widespread anger and prayers across the country. The incident has heightened tensions in the religiously mixed region, with some Christian leaders claiming persecution, while others argue that bandit violence affects both communities. The kidnapping has led to emotional protests by parents and calls for unity among religious leaders to address the crisis. Meanwhile, international commentary, particularly from the United States, has fueled debate over the nature of the violence, with local voices urging caution against inflaming sectarian divisions.