Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has taken custody of the remaining students and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, marking the end of a weeks-long rescue operation.
The rescued individuals were officially presented to the governor on Monday by the Office of the National Security Adviser, with Major General Adamu Laka representing NSA Nuhu Ribadu during the handover ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Laka explained that security agencies had remained fully engaged from the moment the abduction occurred, working relentlessly to ensure that every child and staff member was safely recovered. He stressed that the Federal Government remains firmly committed to policies that guarantee the protection, welfare, and safety of Nigerian children, while affirming that security forces would continue to strengthen efforts aimed at securing lives and property nationwide.
Governor Bago, who struggled to hold back emotions as he received the victims, praised President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for their prompt response and decisive leadership, which he said were instrumental in the successful rescue of the abducted students and staff.
On Sunday, the Presidency had confirmed that the Federal Government had secured the freedom of 130 schoolchildren taken from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State.
“Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity,” a presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, announced in a post on X.
The mass abduction occurred in the early hours of November 21, when more than 300 pupils, teachers, and other school workers were seized after armed men invaded the Catholic school. According to sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, riding over 60 motorcycles and supported by a van. During the raid, the school’s gatekeeper was shot and sustained severe injuries.
In response, the Federal Government swiftly introduced a round-the-clock security lockdown and intensified aerial surveillance operations across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States. President Bola Tinubu also suspended a planned foreign trip to personally oversee efforts to manage the crisis.
Authorities further directed the indefinite shutdown of schools across Niger State, alongside the closure of several federal institutions located in areas classified as high risk.
Earlier, on December 7, the Federal Government announced the successful release of 100 abducted pupils. Governor Umaru Bago formally received those students at the Niger State Government House, pending the rescue of the remaining victims, which has now been completed.
What you should know
The abduction of students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State highlighted ongoing security challenges affecting schools in parts of northern Nigeria.
The coordinated response involved federal and state authorities, security agencies, and intelligence operations, including aerial surveillance and emergency security measures. President Bola Tinubu’s direct involvement underscored the gravity of the incident, while the phased release of the abducted children reflected complex negotiations and rescue efforts.
The final handover of all victims signals a major relief for affected families, but also renews calls for stronger school protection, improved rural security, and long-term strategies to prevent mass kidnappings.
