The anxiety which plagued the release of the remaining 130 students and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community, Niger State has finally been laid to rest. Officials say no victim is left in captivity following the final phase of the rescue operation.
There was unease by Saturday when organs of the Federal and Niger State governments maintained sealed lips, even after the media kept announcing the release.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, announced the breakthrough on social media platform X on Sunday evening, posting: “Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released, none left in captivity.”
On November 21, 2025, gunmen riding motorcycles stormed St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in the rural Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, abducting students, teachers, and staff in what quickly became one of Nigeria’s most high-profile mass kidnappings in recent years.
Security sources and community leaders estimated that over 300 people — including more than 300 pupils and a dozen teachers — were seized during the pre-dawn attack, with assailants systematically moving through dormitories and taking hostages into nearby forests.
In the immediate aftermath of the raid, about 50 students managed to escape on their own within the first 24 hours.
The government previously secured the release of about 100 students on December 7, 2025, following sustained security and diplomatic pressure.
With Sunday’s announcement, the final group of 130 pupils and staff have now regained their freedom, bringing the total number of freed victims to 230. Authorities say the successful operation involved coordinated efforts by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other security agencies, though they have not publicly detailed the tactics used nor confirmed whether ransom was paid.
The newly released students and staff were seen being moved on Sunday night from the release site toward Wawa, Niger State, where they will undergo medical checks before reuniting with their families in Minna or Abuja.
In a statement, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris described the release of the remaining victims as a “fitting end to the year,” saying it marked the successful conclusion of rescue efforts. Idris added that the freed victims were being handed over to the Niger State government for final reunification with relatives.
He expressed sympathy for the families who endured weeks of uncertainty and wished them a “pleasant family reunion… compliments of the season and a Merry Christmas.”
Governor Umar Bago of Niger State and church leaders welcomed the news of the full release, expressing profound relief that all abducted children and staff are now safe.
Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, described the development as a triumph over criminal elements and a reassurance that insecurity “will not triumph over Nigeria.”
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) also commended President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for their efforts, while urging stronger measures to prevent future school kidnappings.
The Papiri abduction has once again highlighted Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, particularly in the north-central and north-western regions, where armed gangs routinely target educational institutions and villages for ransom.
Analysts say the incident reflects broader issues of insecurity and the urgent need for more preventive strategies to protect schools and communities. The attack drew comparisons to other major kidnappings in the country’s recent past, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction.
Security agencies have pledged to pursue those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice, though details about suspects or arrests have not been released.
Meanwhile, parents and families of the freed pupils are preparing for emotional reunions this Christmas season, after weeks of anxiety and campaigning for the safe return of their children.
