Eleven additional students kidnapped from St. Mary’s School in the Papiri community, Agwara LGA of Niger State, have been rescued.
The confirmation came from Usman Baba, Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Information, during an interview with Arise TV.
Baba explained that the rescue was achieved through a coordinated effort by security agencies.
“This was made possible through a coordinated response. The bandits are constantly on the move and don’t stay in one place. As they changed locations, they could not move with all the students, which is why some were left behind,” he said.
He also disclosed that the state government has set up a trauma centre to support the affected children and their families.
The attack occurred on November 21, when armed men stormed the school and abducted 315 people — including 303 students and 12 teachers.
Last Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State announced that 50 of the abducted students had escaped captivity. According to CAN, the children regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday and quietly reunited with their families.
Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger State and Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, said the escaped pupils did not return directly to the school but were located after officials traced their parents.
The diocese reported that 265 people — 239 nursery and primary pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 staff — were still held by the kidnappers.
With the latest rescue of 11 more children, 254 individuals remain in captivity.
