In a moment of deep relief for families across Niger State, the last group of schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic boarding school have finally been freed and is due to be reunited with their loved ones ahead of Christmas. For nearly a month, more than 300 pupils and their teachers were held captive after armed gunmen seized them from St Mary’s Catholic School in the rural Papiri community on November 21.
On Sunday, authorities confirmed the release of the final 130 children. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga shared the news on social media, saying the children are expected to arrive in the state capital, Minna, on Monday to join their families for the holiday.
Parents who endured weeks of fear and uncertainty now have an answer to their prayers. Many have waited anxiously, unsure if they would see their children again alive and safe.
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The Schoolchildren Kidnapping That Shook a Community
The attack on St Mary’s Catholic School sent shock waves not just through the Papiri community but across Nigeria and beyond. Early on the morning of November 21, heavily armed men stormed the boarding school and took more than 300 pupils and 12 staff members into the bush. This was one of the largest mass kidnappings of schoolchildren Nigeria has seen in recent years.
In the immediate hours after the raid, around 50 of the children managed to escape on their own and make their way back to safety. Then, in early December, the government announced the rescue of another 100 pupils through a coordinated security operation.
The fate of the remaining children had weighed heavily on families, many of whom held vigils and prayed for their safe return. For weeks, parents and neighbours gathered at makeshift camps near Minna, hoping for good news.
How the Freed Schoolchildren Were Secured
Officials have said the release followed a “military-intelligence-driven operation”, but they have not given details on how exactly the children were freed. It remains unclear whether negotiations, rescue operations, or other actions persuaded those holding the pupils to let them go.
President Bola Tinubu and his security team have been under intense pressure to bring the children home. Nigeria has faced a growing pattern of mass abductions in recent years, with criminal gangs targeting schools to demand ransom. These armed groups exploit the country’s vast rural areas and gaps in governance, making remote schools particularly vulnerable.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, whose community was directly affected, expressed profound gratitude to the security agencies, government officials, and humanitarian partners who worked for the children’s release. In a statement, church leaders thanked those who prayed and worked tirelessly during the ordeal.
Broader Security Concerns in Nigeria
This kidnapping incident highlights the broader insecurity that continues to plague parts of Nigeria. Mass abductions from schools are sadly familiar in the country, and this latest case follows large-scale kidnappings in other regions. The country has struggled with banditry and armed groups for years, making education in some rural areas not just a challenge but a life-risk for children.
Security experts and families alike have criticised the slow pace of improvements in rural security. Parents continue to call on authorities to do more to protect schools and ensure that children can learn without fear. Communities have urged the government to invest more in rural policing, early-warning systems, and infrastructure that could deter criminal gangs.
As the freed schoolchildren prepare to return home, questions about teacher and staff rescues remain. Some reports indicated that staff members taken during the abduction were still unaccounted for or released earlier, but details are not fully clear.
Despite the relief at this latest development, Nigeria’s broader struggle to secure its schools and rural communities continues. For many parents across the country, the return of these children is bittersweet. They celebrate their safe homecoming but remain concerned about the wider threats that persist.
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