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By Lizzy Chirkpi
One hundred pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State in November , 2025 have been released, following intensified military and security operations led by the Federal Government.
The latest breakthrough comes after 315 residents, mostly schoolchildren were kidnapped by heavily armed bandits who invaded the rural school community at about 2:00 a.m. on November 21, 2025. The attackers operated for nearly three hours, seizing 303 pupils and 12 teachers, in one of the largest school abductions since 2014.
Within the first 24 hours of the attack, 50 pupils managed to escape and were reunited with their families, leaving 265 people still held hostage. The Federal Government responded by declaring a 24-hour security lockdown in the affected area and launching large-scale aerial and ground operations stretching across parts of Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states. President Bola Tinubu subsequently cancelled an international engagement to personally oversee the rescue mission. Schools across Niger State and vulnerable institutions in other high-risk states were also shut indefinitely as a preventive measure.
Last week, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu visited Kontagora, where he met with Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of the Catholic Diocese and the parents of the abducted children. During the visit, Ribadu assured them that government efforts were yielding progress and that the children were safe.
“God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back. I give you that assurance,” the NSA said.
With 100 children now freed, security agencies are shifting focus to the remaining captives, as combined rescue operations continue across difficult terrain.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the mission progresses.