In a significant breakthrough, all remaining students and staff kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State have finally regained their freedom, bringing a traumatic chapter to a close for the affected community.
Details of the Attack and Captivity
Suspected terrorists launched a brazen assault on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, on November 21, 2025. The attackers operated for nearly three hours, moving methodically through dormitories before herding a total of 303 pupils, students, and staff into nearby forests.
Within the first day of captivity, about 50 of the younger pupils managed to escape and were later reunited with their families. Then, on December 8, the Federal Government successfully secured the release of 100 more abductees. This left an unspecified number still in captivity until the recent operation that freed the final group.
The Final Rescue and Recovery Process
A security official involved in the operation confirmed that the latest release accounts for all the remaining victims from the school attack. The freed individuals are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital.
Upon arrival in Minna, they are expected to undergo thorough medical checks and psychological assessments before being reunited with their anxious families. This process is standard for kidnap victims to address both physical and mental trauma.
Official Silence and Community Relief
As of the time of reporting, neither the Federal Government nor the Niger State Government has issued an official statement regarding this latest development. The lack of formal announcement has been noted, but the confirmation from security sources has been met with immense relief in the local community and across Nigeria.
The kidnapping at St. Mary's school was one of the most significant mass abductions in recent times, highlighting the persistent security challenges in parts of the country. The safe return of all victims marks a crucial victory for rescue efforts and brings hope to other families still waiting for their loved ones in similar situations.
