Niger State witnessed a powerful moment of relief on Monday as one hundred schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, were officially received by the state government in Minna. Their return marks a significant breakthrough in what has become one of the most shocking mass school kidnappings in Nigeria’s recent history. Yet, beneath the joy and gratitude lies a sobering truth: more than 150 children and staff members remain missing, and the situation continues to weigh heavily on the hearts of families across the state.
The rescued students were handed over at the Government House, Minna, where Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago received them in an emotional and solemn gathering. Government officials described the operation that led to their freedom as coordinated, strategic, and highly intensive. Representatives from the office of the National Security Adviser, alongside operatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies, were present during the handing-over ceremony. According to the state government, the children will undergo full medical examinations, trauma counselling, and psychological assessments before they are reunited with their parents. These measures were put in place to ensure that the students not only regain physical strength but also receive the emotional support needed after their harrowing ordeal.
The Papiri attack occurred on November 21, 2025, when armed bandits invaded the school premises in the early hours of the morning. The gunmen reportedly spent hours inside the school compound, moving through classrooms and dormitories before taking hundreds of children and staff into the dense forests bordering Niger State. Initial reports indicated that 315 individuals were abducted, comprising students and twelve teachers. Although about fifty students managed to escape in the immediate aftermath, the majority were taken deep into remote areas where communication and access remain difficult.
As news of the rescue of the first batch of one hundred children spread, parents and community members expressed a mixture of overwhelming relief and continuing anguish. For families whose children are among the rescued, the moment brought tears of joy and gratitude. Yet for many others, the pain persists as they wait anxiously for news about their loved ones who are still in captivity. Authorities confirmed that over 150 individuals remain missing, including all twelve teachers who were abducted alongside the students.
In his remarks, Governor Bago praised the security agencies for their tireless efforts and assured the public that the mission to free every child and teacher is far from over. He emphasized that Niger State will continue providing all necessary support to federal agencies to ensure the rescue operation continues without delay. The governor also stressed that the state government is working closely with the Christian Association of Nigeria and humanitarian organizations to care for the rescued children, assess their well-being, and prepare them for safe reintegration into their families and communities.
Despite the relief that accompanies this partial rescue, a number of critical questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not disclosed the exact method through which the children were freed, nor have they explained whether there were negotiations, tactical operations, or a mix of both. The absence of clear details has raised public curiosity and concern, especially as there has been no confirmed arrest of the kidnappers either before or after the rescue. Security experts and community members have called for greater transparency, arguing that clarity on the circumstances could help deepen trust and shape strategies for preventing future school abductions.
The federal government, through the presidency, also responded to the development, welcoming the release of the one hundred children and commending the efforts of the security agencies. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed operatives to intensify their search and ensure that every remaining victim is safely returned. He also called for stronger measures to safeguard schools across the country, noting that no child should have to pursue education under the shadow of fear.
