Relief spread across Niger State on Monday as 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, were reunited with their families after spending almost three weeks in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu, while welcoming the release of the children, ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the freedom of the remaining 115 students and their teachers still being held by the abductors.
The Papiri school was attacked on November 21, 2025. Initial reports indicated that hundreds of pupils were taken during the raid, although some managed to escape in the days that followed. With the release of the latest batch, dozens of students and teachers remain missing.
The 100 rescued children, between the ages of five and 10, were formally presented to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
The handover was conducted by a representative of the National Security Adviser amid emotional scenes, as parents and well-wishers applauded the children’s return.
Many of the pupils appeared weak and malnourished but visibly relieved as they walked into the hall to cheers from the crowd that had waited hours for their arrival.
Governor Bago expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and security agencies, assuring families that all remaining captives would soon be rescued.
“We thank Mr President for providing the necessary support to secure the release of these children,” Bago said. “We also appreciate the efforts of the National Security Adviser, our security agencies, and our development partners. By God’s grace, the remaining children will be brought back home in a very short time.”
He added that the rescued pupils would undergo medical checks before being reunited with their families.
“Health workers are already on ground to examine them properly. We are working closely with the Christian Association of Nigeria to ensure the children return home safely,” the governor said, describing the ordeal as emotionally distressing.
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu commended the security agencies and the Niger State Government for their efforts but stressed that the mission was not yet complete.
“I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work,” the President said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “My directive remains that all abducted students and other Nigerians in captivity must be rescued and returned home safely. We must account for every victim.”
Tinubu also said the Federal Government was working with state authorities to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
“Our children must no longer be soft targets for criminals,” he said. “Security agencies, in collaboration with state governments, must act decisively to stop future kidnappings.”
The abduction in Papiri is the latest in a series of mass school kidnappings that have troubled parts of the country in recent years, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions.
Religious leaders in Niger State previously organised prayers and fasting for the safe return of the pupils.
The state leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria welcomed the release of the 100 children and expressed hope that the remaining captives would soon regain their freedom.
