FG Confirms Release Of 130 Remaining Abducted Niger Schoolchildren

The Federal Government has confirmed that all 230 students who were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, have been released.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who disclosed this on Sunday, called the rescue a moment of relief and a positive way for the year to end.

“The rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, marks a fitting end to the year.

“As it is, the Federal Government can confirm that all the abducted pupils of the Catholic School, Papiri, numbering 230, have been freed. Not a single pupil is left in captivity,” he said in a statement he signed.

The minister added that the recently rescued 130 pupils are being handed over to the Niger State Government, after which they will be reunited with their families.

“This courageous effort by our security forces reaffirms our nation’s resolve to protect its people.

“The Federal Government empathises with the parents and guardians of the pupils for the agony the abduction has caused them, wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, compliments of the season and a Merry Christmas,” the minister added.

On November 21, gunmen on motorbikes attacked the school, kidnapping 315 people — 303 students and 12 teachers — during a three-hour raid.

Within the first day, 50 students managed to escape, leaving 265 people, including all 12 teachers, still in captivity.

On December 7, the federal government secured the release of 100 students.

The final group of 130 students has now been freed, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230.

The rescue came after intensified military operations, aerial patrols across Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states, and the use of community hunters to search the forests.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Government recently announced that all 47 unity schools earlier closed over security concerns have now been reopened.