The final batch of 130 students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri has been formally released to the Niger State Government, easing weeks of anxiety for families and the community as Christmas approaches.
Addressing journalists after the handover, Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed explained that confusion surrounding the number of abducted persons would be addressed by the school management and the Catholic Church. According to him, security agencies initially worked with an estimate of about 230 victims, including staff members.
“The information available to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services indicated that about 230 people, teachers inclusive, were abducted. Thankfully, we have now recovered them,” the governor said. He urged the public not to focus on the figures, noting that panic and conflicting reports at the early stage likely caused the discrepancies.
Governor Mohammed said the rescue would allow families to reunite with their loved ones and celebrate the festive season with joy. He expressed optimism that the children would be returned to their parents promptly after necessary procedures.
On the issue of ransom, the governor declined to comment, stating that the priority was the safe recovery of the abductees, not the methods employed. “What matters most is that these children were rescued alive and unharmed. The process is not for public debate,” he said.
The governor also raised concerns about what he described as irresponsible parenting, particularly the practice of enrolling very young children in boarding schools. He said the state government would review policies guiding boarding facilities and would no longer tolerate such practices.
“It is unacceptable for children as young as two or three years old to be kept in boarding schools,” he said, adding that seeing such young children in captivity was deeply distressing. He assured that the issue would be reviewed not only in the affected school but across others operating similarly.
Governor Mohammed described the rescue as a rare achievement in Nigeria’s security history, noting that it was uncommon for such a large number of abducted persons to be recovered without casualties. He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders for their collective efforts.
Representing the National Security Adviser, the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Adamu Garba Laka, said the operation was successful due to sustained and coordinated efforts by the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the police and other security agencies, with support from international partners.
He disclosed that the victims were abducted on November 21, 2025, and that their rescue followed directives from President Tinubu and intense inter-agency collaboration. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the National Security Adviser to protecting lives, schools and communities across the country.
The rescued children and teachers arrived at the Niger State Government House around 3:35 pm under heavy security, conveyed in six buses escorted by armoured vehicles. They were received by the governor and taken into a hall for the formal handover.
Security operatives restricted access to the victims, preventing interaction with journalists. No parents were present at the venue, despite news of the rescue circulating since Sunday night. The proprietor of the school and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria was also absent, but was represented by the state CAN vice chairman.
Medical examinations were scheduled for the rescued children before they would be reunited with their families, a process expected to be completed by the following day.
