By TWE News

The Nigerian government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Niger State — a partial relief in what has become one of the country’s worst mass kidnappings in recent years. The freed children, many aged between 10 and 17, were handed over to state officials on Monday evening after more than two weeks in captivity.

Young Victims: Ages and Impact

The rescued students include both primary and secondary school pupils, underscoring the vulnerability of the victims targeted in the early-morning raid of 21 November 2025. Authorities confirmed that the abducted group initially comprised over 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers, taken from their dormitories around 2:00 a.m.

Education officials and child-rights advocates warn that the trauma endured by these children — alongside the disruption to their education — may require long-term psychological and academic support.

State Governor Expresses Relief and Shock

Receiving the rescued children at Government House, Minna, at about 5:20 p.m., Governor Umar Bago expressed both gratitude and dismay. He praised the combined efforts of security agencies but admitted deep concern that such a large-scale attack could still occur despite prior security alerts.

“This should never have happened,” the governor said, describing the abduction as a “shocking and painful experience” for the state. He pledged continuous operations to bring home every remaining student and teacher still held by the gunmen.

Security Agencies Outline Ongoing Efforts

According to official briefings, the release followed a coordinated, multi-agency operation involving the military, Department of State Services (DSS), police tactical teams, and vigilante units operating across forests bordering Niger and neighbouring states.

However, security officials did not disclose whether the children were rescued through a direct operation or negotiated release — a silence that has fueled speculation and debate.

Reuters, AP, and The Guardian all reported that the government declined to say whether ransom was paid, a recurring concern in mass abductions across northern Nigeria.

President Tinubu: ‘Children Cannot Be Sitting Ducks’

President Bola Tinubu welcomed the release, commending security agencies for what he described as “steadfast work under immense pressure.”

He warned that repeated kidnapping of schoolchildren was a threat to national stability, saying:

“Our children cannot be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists determined to disrupt their education and sow fear across communities.”

The president directed security forces to intensify operations to secure those still in captivity and strengthen preventive measures for schools in vulnerable regions.

Parents Left in Anxiety, Waiting for Names

Despite the government’s public announcement, many parents told journalists they learned of the release only through news reports — and did not initially know whether their own children were among the 100 freed.

The lack of immediate communication left families in anguish, especially as more than 100 students and teachers remain missing. Exact numbers vary: official sources speak of 115 students and 12 teachers, while some organisations place the number still in captivity closer to 165.

The Abduction: One of the Worst in Recent Memory

The 21 November attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School stunned the country and drew global attention. Gunmen stormed the boarding school in the dead of night, herding children and staff into the surrounding forest.

Within the first 24 hours, about 50 students managed to escape and returned home — but hundreds remained in captivity for weeks.

The Guardian described the incident as “one of Nigeria’s gravest mass kidnappings in years,” occurring during a period of rising attacks on educational institutions in the region.

What Comes Next: A Partial Victory, But a Long Road Ahead

Child advocates have called for immediate medical assessments and trauma-care interventions for the freed students, warning that rescue is only the beginning of recovery.

Security experts insist that without improved intelligence, rural policing, and stronger school-security infrastructure, similar attacks may continue.

For now, families celebrate the return of 100 children — but wait in painful anticipation for the others still held far from home.