9th December, 2025.
Emotional scenes unfolded at the Niger State Government House in Minna on Monday as 100 school children abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area regained their freedom after nearly three weeks in captivity.
The children, who appeared visibly weak and malnourished, arrived at the Government House around 5:30pm under heavy security escort and were received by Governor Mohammed Bago amid applause from anxious parents and state officials.
President Bola Tinubu immediately directed security agencies to intensify operations and secure the release of 115 students and 12 teachers still being held by the kidnappers.
“My directive remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians must be rescued and brought back home safely,” the President stated through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The school was attacked on November 21, 2025, with gunmen abducting over 300 persons, including 303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty students had earlier escaped on November 23, bringing the total number freed to 150.
Reverend Bulus Yohanna, who is both the proprietor of the school and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, confirmed that 227 students and 12 teachers were taken during the raid.
Wing Commander Abdullahi Hong, representing the National Security Adviser, handed over the freed children to Governor Bago, who assured parents that the remaining captives would soon be rescued.
“We want to thank Mr President for giving us the necessary inputs to rescue these children,” Governor Bago stated emotionally, adding that the children would undergo thorough medical examinations before being reunited with their families.
The release followed a three-day fasting and prayer programme organized by CAN across Niger State’s 25 local government areas, which concluded on Sunday.
President Tinubu emphasized that security agencies must work with state governors to prevent future kidnappings, stating that Nigerian children should no longer be vulnerable targets for terrorists.
The Federal Government has pledged to strengthen security around schools nationwide to ensure a safer learning environment.
Mass school abductions have plagued Nigeria since the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping by Boko Haram. Niger State has experienced multiple attacks, including the February 2021 Kagara incident. Recent weeks have also witnessed coordinated raids on schools and worship centres in neighboring Kebbi and Kwara states.
On November 26, President Tinubu declared a security emergency, ordering intensified operations to protect educational institutions, farmlands and places of worship across the country.