The Federal Government has reportedly secured 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 was reported on Sunday by national media outlets, although as of the time of filing this report, no detailed official statement had been issued by the Federal Government on the circumstances surrounding the release.
The pupils were among over 300 persons abducted in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the boarding school around 2 am. The attackers were said to have arrived on motorcycles and operated freely for hours before escaping into nearby forest routes with their victims.
Initial reports put the number of abducted pupils at over 200, but the figure was later reviewed by the Christian Association of Nigeria after a verification exercise. According to CAN, a total of 303 students and 12 school staff were taken away by the attackers.
Days after the incident, 50 pupils reportedly escaped from captivity and reunited with their families, reducing the number of those held to 265 before the latest release of 100 children.
Following the attack, security agencies including the police and the military deployed tactical teams to forests in Niger and neighboring states in a bid to rescue the victims.
The abduction sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools, particularly in rural communities that have become frequent targets of criminal gangs.
Parents and relatives of the freed pupils have expressed relief over the development, even as many families continue to await news of their missing children. The Federal Government has maintained that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of those still in captivity.
