The Federal Government of Nigeria has won a significant victory in its efforts to end school kidnappings after securing the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The development marks the first major breakthrough since the mass abduction on November 21, 2025.
In the early hours of November 21, gunmen on motorbikes attacked the remote boarding school around 2:00 a.m. They stormed the dormitories and abducted a total of 315 people, 303 students and 12 teachers over a period of nearly three hours.
Within 24 hours of the raid, about 50 pupils managed to escape on their own and reunited with their families. That left 265 people including 253 pupils and all 12 teachers still in captivity when the release was announced.
The release of 100 children comes after an intensive rescue operation. Security forces, supported by local hunters, scoured forests and remote hideouts across Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States. The government imposed a 24-hour security cordon in the affected areas and launched aerial surveillance to track down the abductors.
In response to the crisis, the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu canceled planned international travel and directed an immediate indefinite closure of all schools in Niger State and other high-risk zones pending a full resolution.
While details of the operation that secured the children’s freedom remain under wraps, the rescued students reportedly underwent medical check-ups and debriefing before being scheduled for reunification with their families.
Despite this positive development, the fate of more than 160 people including children and all 12 teachers remains uncertain. Government and church officials have yet to confirm the full number of freed captives or provide details about negotiations or force used in the rescue.
The release of 100 abducted schoolchildren offers a glimmer of hope to many Nigerian families still reeling from waves of mass kidnappings. It underlines the importance of a coordinated security response, community involvement, and persistence in efforts to bring all victims home.