Relief and joy swept through Niger State on Monday as 100 schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, returned safely to their families after nearly three weeks in captivity.

President Bola Tinubu, celebrating the return of the 100 students, immediately renewed efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers, instructing security agencies to intensify operations and ensure the safe return of all victims.

The schools were attacked on November 21, 2025, with reports indicating that 303 students were abducted. By November 23, 50 of the children had escaped and reunited with their families.

The proprietor of the schools and Niger State Christian Association chairman, Rev Bulus Yohanna, confirmed that 227 students, including 12 teachers, were abducted during the raid. With the return of 100 students, 115 pupils and 12 teachers remain in captivity.

The rescued children, aged between five and ten, were welcomed by emotional parents, dignitaries, and security personnel at a heartwarming ceremony at the Niger State Government House.

Crowds had gathered at the Government House, awaiting the arrival of the freed students following the announcement of their release on Sunday evening. At exactly 5:30 pm, the children entered the hall in single file to resounding applause.

Looking visibly malnourished and fatigued, the children could barely contain their joy at regaining their freedom.

The 100 rescued students were among 315 pupils and teachers abducted from the schools on November 21. A representative of the National Security Adviser, Abdullahi Hong, handed the children over to Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago.

In an emotional address, Governor Bago assured that efforts to rescue the remaining abducted students were ongoing.

“We thank the President for the guidance that led to the rescue of these children. We appreciate the NSA and everyone involved in this process. We also thank development partners, including UNICEF, and everyone who has been praying. We aim to recover the other students still in captivity, and by the grace of God, this will happen very soon, Insha Allah,” Bago said.

He also assured parents and guardians that the rescued children would be properly attended to before being returned home.

“Medical personnel have been called to examine the children, and we are working closely with the Christian Association of Nigeria to ensure they are safely reunited with their families. I am deeply moved by seeing the children and their ages, but we are grateful they are now safe,” Bago added.

President Tinubu, welcoming the news, directed security agencies to secure the immediate release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers.

“I commend Governor Bago and our security agencies for their steadfast work. My directive remains that all abducted students and Nigerians must be rescued and returned safely. Every victim must be accounted for,” the President said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu added that the Federal Government was collaborating with the Niger State Government to reunite the children with their families and enhance school security nationwide.

“Our security agencies, in coordination with state governments, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be vulnerable to terrorists,” he said.

Mass abductions from schools have plagued Nigeria since Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014, sparking a wave of similar incidents for ransom. Niger State has also experienced repeated attacks, including the February 2021 Kagara abduction, while recent weeks have seen coordinated raids on schools and worship centres in Kebbi and Kwara states.

Following the November 26 declaration of a security emergency by President Tinubu, a surge of operations was ordered to protect schools, farms, and places of worship, with service chiefs directed to coordinate closely with state governments.

Earlier, the Niger State CAN had indicated that it was unaware of the release of 100 abducted students. Bishop Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora and proprietor of the schools, expressed joy at the development, saying, “If some of our children have been released, it is a moment of great joy. We have been praying and waiting for their return, and if true, it is indeed cheering news.”

The release followed a three-day fasting and prayer initiative organised by CAN across Niger State. Starting on Friday and concluding on Sunday at the 1st ECWA Church in Minna, Christians from various denominations came together to pray for the freedom of 265 children and teachers, urging the community to join in prayers to end insecurity.

Represented by Deputy Chairman Rev Ezekiel Ibrahim, CAN appealed to all people, regardless of religion, tribe, or political affiliation, to participate in prayers for divine intervention against the common threat of insecurity in the state.