Nigerian authorities say the final group of schoolchildren abducted in a mass kidnapping at a Catholic boarding school in Niger State have been freed, bringing an end to one of the country’s largest such incidents this year.
A spokesman for President Bola Tinubu said the remaining 130 students, taken from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri on November 21, were released following a military intelligence-led operation and are expected to reunite with their families ahead of Christmas.
More than 300 students and staff were seized during the pre-dawn attack, though dozens escaped soon after and others were released earlier this month. While officials have described all the children as “released,” they have not disclosed how their freedom was secured or whether arrests were made, fuelling speculation over ransom payments, which are illegal under Nigerian law.
The abduction highlighted the growing threat posed by armed gangs targeting schools across northern Nigeria, prompting renewed criticism of security measures and adding pressure on the government, which last month declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered an expanded military and police deployment.
The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted by terrorists at St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21, have now been released. They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents for the Christmas celebration.
One hundred were released… pic.twitter.com/tqiK4bR80r
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) December 21, 2025
That’s great news, home for Christmas.