All Abducted Students from Niger State School Released, Ending Ordeal
A period of intense anxiety and fear has concluded for the families and communities surrounding St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, as the final group of 130 abducted students regained their freedom on Sunday. This development marks the successful conclusion of one of Nigeria’s most significant recent mass school kidnappings, bringing all 303 students and 12 teachers seized in the November 21st attack back to safety.
The news of the students’ release was confirmed by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, via an official post on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He stated, “Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” confirming that every individual taken during the raid has now been accounted for.
The freed students arrived in Minna, the capital of Niger State, where they were reunited with earlier batches of students who had been released in stages over the preceding month. This phased release process offered glimmers of hope throughout the period of uncertainty.
A Timeline of Rescues and Escapes
The journey to freedom for these students involved several key events:
- Immediate Aftermath: Shortly after the initial abduction, approximately 50 students managed to escape from their captors on their own initiative, demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience.
- Security Operations: On December 8th, security agencies successfully freed another 100 students. President Bola Tinubu had previously described these operations as “sustained security operations,” highlighting the government’s commitment to their safe return.
- Final Release: The remaining 130 students were released on Sunday, bringing the total number of freed individuals to 303 students and 12 teachers.
The students were formally received at the Niger State Government House. Governor Mohammed Bago was present at the ceremony and assured attendees that the children would undergo thorough health examinations by medical professionals before being reunited with their anxious families.
The Devastating Attack
The abduction itself occurred in the early hours of November 21st. Armed assailants, arriving on motorcycles, launched a swift and brutal attack on the boarding school located in Papiri, within the Agwara Local Government Area. Eyewitness accounts described a scene of terror, with the attackers firing indiscriminately into the air to instill panic before proceeding to move systematically through the school’s dormitories, rounding up both students and staff.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, the institution’s owner, reported that one security staff member sustained severe injuries during the raid. The gravity of the incident was further underscored by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State and also the school’s proprietor. He conveyed the “immense anguish” that the abduction had inflicted upon the students’ families, the OLA Sisters worldwide, the Diocese of Kontagora, and the wider local community.
Controversy and Government Response
Following the incident, the Niger State Government initially placed blame on the school for reopening without prior authorization. Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger State Government, stated that the attack had occurred despite prior intelligence indicating heightened threats in the region. He emphasized, “Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk.”
However, the school’s principal, Felicia Gyam, refuted these claims, asserting that there had been no prior warning or official circular from the government that alerted the school to any potential threat.
The abduction prompted a significant national response. President Bola Tinubu, upon learning of the incident, cancelled his participation in the G20 Summit in South Africa and directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him at the international gathering.
Praise for Security Efforts and a Call for Justice
The successful release of the students has been met with widespread relief and commendation. Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, hailed the outcome as a triumph over “evil forces.” He specifically lauded President Tinubu’s security initiatives and acknowledged the crucial role played by security agencies in achieving the students’ freedom.
Governor Abiodun expressed his profound delight, stating, “I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, have been released. The students, their parents, Papiri community, and the Niger State Government have all endured a lot, and I rejoice with them in this moment of triumph over the forces of darkness.”
He further highlighted that this series of successful releases, which also includes 24 abducted individuals from Kebbi State and the earlier group of 100 students from the same Catholic school, demonstrates the President’s capability to effectively address Nigeria’s complex security challenges. “The President is committed to a safe, secure, and prosperous Nigeria, and the security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I urge them to ensure the terrorists behind these attacks are prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law,” Governor Abiodun added, calling for accountability for those responsible.
The abduction on November 21st, 2025, remains a stark reminder of the persistent security threats facing educational institutions in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the safe return of all 303 students and 12 teachers offers a moment of profound relief, allowing families to finally celebrate the Yuletide season with their loved ones after weeks of agonizing uncertainty and fear.
