The night they were taken from their beds

Nigeria Labour Congress workers protesting about insecurity on the streets in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier this month. The Nov 21 abduction of 253 children and 12 staff members from St Mary’s Catholic School underscored how insecurity has metastasised nationwide. — AP

AT first, Stephen Samuel thought he was dreaming.

He heard voices and banging inside the dormitory at the Catholic school in north-west Nigeria where he was a student.