Abducted St. Mary’s Schoolchildren in Niger State Finally Regain Freedom

All schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have finally regained their freedom.

The final batch of 115 students was released on Sunday, bringing the total number of rescued children to approximately 265 and ending a traumatic one-month ordeal that gripped families and the nation.

The abduction occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the boarding school and kidnapped 303 students alongside 12 teachers. The incident was widely described as one of the largest mass school abductions in Nigeria’s recent history.

In the days following the attack, about 50 students reportedly escaped on their own while fleeing from the abductors. A further breakthrough came on December 8, when security operatives secured the release of 100 students after sustained rescue operations.

With the release of the remaining 115 pupils, families, church leaders, and the wider community have expressed profound relief and gratitude. Security agencies involved in the operation have described the successful rescue as a major achievement, reaffirming their commitment to tackling kidnapping and insecurity across the country.