National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Nuhu Ribadu, has reassured anxious parents and authorities of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, that the pupils abducted by armed bandits “are doing fine and will return soon.”
Ribadu delivered the message on Monday during a visit to the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, as well as families of the abducted children at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
Conveying President Bola Tinubu’s message of hope, Ribadu said progress was being made in ongoing rescue efforts, with security deployments across the affected communities significantly intensified.
“God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back. I give you that assurance,” Ribadu said, urging families to remain strong.
He described the situation as a painful moment for the nation, noting that the President suspended all official engagements—including a scheduled international trip—because of the incident. “We take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you. Mr President is in pain, he is in sorrow just like all of us,” he added.
The NSA also appealed for national unity, warning that “the common enemy” must not be allowed to sow division. “Enough is enough. We will not relent in our efforts. We are all under attack; let us not allow evil to get into us,” he said.
Ribadu was accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi; and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab.
He commended Bishop Yohanna for his calm leadership despite pressures from various quarters, noting that the Federal Government stood firmly with the Church and all affected families. He also disclosed that offers of assistance had come from international partners, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
“This incident will change Nigeria for good,” Ribadu said, pledging stronger security measures around the school and neighbouring communities.
Earlier, Bishop Yohanna expressed gratitude to the President and the NSA for their visit. The school’s principal, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang, and a parents’ representative, Mr. Luka Iliya, briefed the delegation on the attack and the emotional toll on families.
The mass abduction occurred on 21 November 2025, when armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri around 2:00 a.m. Operating for nearly three hours, the attackers kidnapped 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers.
Security forces and community hunters immediately launched search operations across the surrounding forests. Within 24 hours, 50 students managed to escape and were reunited with their families. However, 265 individuals—including 253 pupils and all 12 teachers—remain in captivity.
The Federal Government responded by imposing a 24-hour security cordon across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States, deploying aerial surveillance, and ordering the indefinite closure of schools in vulnerable areas. President Tinubu also cancelled all scheduled international travel to coordinate national efforts to rescue the victims.
