Federal Government Secures Release of 100 Children Abducted From Niger State School
The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The abduction occurred on 21 November 2025, when armed bandits invaded the remote Papiri community. Arriving around 2:00 a.m. on motorbikes, the attackers stormed the school’s dormitories for more than three hours, taking 315 people hostage—303 students and 12 teachers.
In response, security forces and local hunters launched extensive search operations across nearby forests. Fifty pupils managed to escape within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families. This left 265 individuals—253 children and all 12 teachers—still in captivity.
The Federal Government quickly imposed a 24-hour security cordon around the region and deployed aerial surveillance across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States. President Bola Tinubu cancelled a planned international trip to oversee rescue efforts, while authorities ordered an indefinite shutdown of schools across Niger State and several federal institutions in high-risk areas.
Last Monday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, as well as parents of the abducted children at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora. Ribadu assured them that the pupils were safe and that rescue operations were progressing steadily.
“God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back. I give you that assurance,” he said, conveying President Tinubu’s message of hope and reaffirming the government’s commitment to securing the remaining captives.
Efforts to free the others still in captivity are ongoing.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
