The Federal Government has announced plans to reopen all schools previously closed due to insecurity, following the successful rescue of pupils, students and teachers abducted by terrorists in Niger State.
President Bola Tinubu disclosed this on Monday during a reception at the Niger State Government House in Minna to welcome the final batch of 130 schoolchildren and teachers abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.
The victims were part of the 315 pupils, students and teachers kidnapped during an attack on the school on November 21, 2025. While 50 pupils escaped two days after the incident, another 100 were later recovered by security agencies. The remaining 130 regained their freedom last Sunday.
Tinubu, who was represented by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said the successful rescue was the result of coordinated efforts by multiple security agencies.
“The rescue of the remaining kidnapped students and teachers followed the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Ribadu said.
He added that the operation involved the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, describing the outcome as a major achievement in the government’s ongoing fight against insecurity.
Speaking through Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Ribadu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country.
“The Federal Government will implement short-term measures in high-risk areas by working closely with community leaders to improve security,” he said.
“We will also reopen all schools that were closed due to insecurity so that our children can continue their education without fear.”
He formally handed over the rescued students and teachers to the Niger State Governor on behalf of the President.
In his response, Governor Mohammed Bago expressed gratitude to the President, the Office of the NSA and the security agencies for securing the release of all the abducted victims.
“We thank God for the mercy shown to us. Looking at these children and their teachers, you can see the trauma they went through,” Bago said.
“It is unprecedented in this country to recover everyone involved in such an incident. We are grateful that they will now be reunited with their families.”
The Federal Government said the reopening of schools would be accompanied by improved security arrangements, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to attacks, as part of broader reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the education sector.
