Nigeria Secures Release of Final 130 Schoolchildren from Mass Abduction
Nigerian authorities have confirmed the release of the final 130 students and staff from a mass kidnapping in November, concluding one of the country's worst such incidents. Explore the details of the release and the broader context of Nigeria's ongoing security crisis.
Timeline of the Ordeal
Nigerian authorities say they have secured the release of the remaining 130 schoolchildren and staff kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school in November, bringing an end to one of the country's worst recent mass kidnappings. The federal government described the development as a "moment of triumph and relief."
Nov. 21, 2025: More than 250 children and staff were abducted from St Mary's Catholic school in Papiri, located in the country's central Niger state. The Christian Association of Nigeria reported that 50 students managed to escape during the initial attack.
Early Dec. 2025: Approximately 100 of the children were released. A neighboring state governor noted the federal government's key role but stated that details of the operation couldn't be disclosed for security reasons.
Dec. 21, 2025: The final 130 children and staff are confirmed to have been rescued.
Official Confirmation and Lingering Questions
In a statement on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the rescue, saying "not a single pupil is left in captivity." He noted that the total number of freed students now stands at 230. The announcement was accompanied by pictures of smiling children, who are expected to arrive in Minna, the Niger state capital, on Monday.
"The rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff has been confirmed."
- Nigerian Authorities' Statement
However, it has not been formally made public how the government secured the release, nor whether a ransom was paid. The lack of transparency on the methods used leaves critical questions unanswered about the state's strategy for handling such crises.
Context: A Disturbing Pattern of Attacks
This abduction is the latest in a growing number of targeted attacks on schools and places of worship across north and central Nigeria. Most analysts believe these kidnappings are carried out by criminal gangs seeking ransom payments. The attack on St Mary's was preceded by other mass kidnappings just days earlier:
- Nov. 17: Two were killed and 25 Muslim students were abducted from a government school in Kebbi state.
- Nov. 18: Two were killed and 38 people were abducted from a church in Kwara state.
All those taken in the Kwara and Kebbi attacks have since been freed, according to reports.
The resolution of this crisis comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's pledge on December 9th that his government would "continue to work with Niger and other states to secure our schools." The successful release of all St Mary's students will be seen as a significant achievement, but it also underscores the immense security challenge his administration continues to face.
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