The final group of 130 students held captive since the mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, has been released, marking the end of one of Nigeria’s most significant recent school kidnapping incidents.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare announced the development on Sunday evening through his official social media handle, confirming that all 303 students and 12 teachers seized during the 21st November attack have now regained their freedom.
“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” Dare stated, bringing relief to families who have endured weeks of uncertainty and anguish.
The freed children arrived in Minna, the Niger State capital, where they were received by Governor Mohammed Bago at the State Government House. Health workers have been deployed to examine the students before they are reunited with their families, according to state officials.
The mass abduction occurred in the early hours of 21st November when armed men on motorcycles stormed the boarding school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. Witnesses reported that the attackers fired shots into the air to create panic before systematically moving through dormitories to round up students and staff members.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, which owns the institution, a security staff member sustained serious injuries during the attack. The incident affected the entire school community, with Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State and school proprietor, describing it as causing “immense anguish” for families, the OLA Sisters worldwide, the Diocese of Kontagora, and the local community.
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The release came in phases over the past month. Approximately 50 students managed to escape on their own shortly after the initial abduction, whilst security agencies freed 100 students on 8th December following what President Bola Tinubu described as “sustained security operations.”
The abduction prompted immediate action at the highest levels of government. President Tinubu cancelled his attendance at the G20 Summit in South Africa, directing Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent him instead, signalling the gravity with which the federal government treated the incident.
However, the circumstances surrounding the attack sparked controversy between the Niger State Government and school authorities. Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the Niger State Government, claimed the school had reopened without proper clearance despite intelligence indicating heightened threats in the region.
“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk,” Usman stated.
The school’s principal, Felicia Gyam, disputed this assertion, maintaining that no prior warning or government circular had been issued to notify the school of any specific threat.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who chairs the Southern Governors’ Forum, commended the release as a victory over criminal elements. He praised President Tinubu’s security measures and the efforts of security agencies in securing the students’ freedom.
“I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, have been released. The students, their parents, Papiri community, and the Niger State Government have all endured a lot, and I rejoice with them in this moment of triumph over the forces of darkness,” Abiodun said.
The Ogun State governor noted that recent successes—including the release of 24 abducted persons from Kebbi State and the earlier batch of 100 students from the same Catholic school—demonstrate the federal government’s capacity to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
“The President is committed to a safe, secure, and prosperous Nigeria, and the security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I urge them to ensure the terrorists behind these attacks are prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law,” Abiodun added.
The mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School represents one of the largest school kidnapping incidents in recent Nigerian history. The attack fits a disturbing pattern of school abductions that have plagued northern Nigeria, particularly since the 2014 Chibok girls’ kidnapping that drew international attention.
Armed groups have increasingly targeted educational institutions, viewing schools as soft targets that can yield significant ransoms or serve as bargaining chips in negotiations with government authorities. The attacks have disrupted education in affected regions, with many schools forced to close or operate under heavy security.
The release of all hostages comes as welcome news for families preparing to celebrate the Christmas season. After weeks of fear and uncertainty, parents can now reunite with their children in time for the festive period.
Whilst the successful release of all 303 students and 12 teachers represents a positive outcome, questions remain about preventing future incidents and ensuring accountability for those responsible. The debate between state authorities and school management over security protocols highlights the need for clearer communication and coordination on school safety matters.
