How 100 Students Abducted in Niger State Regained Their Freedom

More than two weeks after gunmen stormed St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, 100 abducted students have regained their freedom. 

The news brought relief to families who had spent anxious days waiting for updates and urging the government to act faster.

The attack happened on Friday, November 21, 2025, when armed men invaded the school community and abducted a large number of pupils and staff. The school, a private boarding institution for both primary and secondary students, was reportedly targeted late at night, with attackers said to have arrived on motorcycles and in vehicles to carry out the operation.

In the days after the abduction, some students reportedly escaped, raising hopes that more would make it out alive. But many others remained missing, deepening fear and grief across the community.

As public pressure grew, security agencies intensified their response. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the area and met with community and religious leaders, including the state leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria. 

Visit was seen as a signal that the incident had moved to the top of the national security agenda, with assurances that efforts were underway to rescue the children and reunite them with their families.

Authorities later confirmed that they had received information indicating that 100 of the abducted students had been rescued. The children are expected to be released to their parents in batches, following medical checks and security debriefings.

However, the rescue of 100 students does not mark the end of the crisis. A significant number of victims are still believed to be in captivity, meaning many families are still waiting, praying and hoping for another breakthrough. The incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of boarding schools in remote areas and the growing boldness of kidnapping networks targeting soft locations.

For residents of Niger State and many Nigerians watching from afar, the release is both a moment of relief and a reminder of how urgent the wider security problem remains. 

While rescues matter, communities are increasingly calling for stronger prevention measures, better intelligence, improved protection around schools and more visible security presence in vulnerable rural regions.

For now, the focus remains on the safe return of the remaining students and staff—and the hope that this painful chapter will lead to more decisive action to stop future school abductions.