Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State on Monday received 100 pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, who were released after being abducted by bandits in November.
The children, conveyed in separate buses, arrived at the Niger State Government House around 5:20 p.m., where they were welcomed by the governor and other senior state officials. Their release was reportedly secured by the Federal Government on Sunday, though the Presidency has not yet issued an official statement.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, said it had not received formal communication confirming the release. Bishop Bulus Yohanna, the association’s chairman, said CAN was hopeful but unaware of any official notification.
“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released… However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified,” the statement said, adding that the Church is praying for the return of the remaining abductees.
Bandits had stormed St. Mary’s School in Papiri on 21 November 2025, abducting 315 people — 303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty pupils escaped within the first 24 hours, but 265 remained in captivity until Sunday’s release of 100 pupils, leaving 165 still held.
The mass abduction drew local and international attention, including a reaction from Pope Leo XIV. In response, the Federal Government imposed a 24-hour security cordon and deployed aerial surveillance across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States. President Bola Tinubu also cancelled planned international travel to address the crisis, while authorities ordered the closure of all schools in Niger State and several federal institutions in high-risk areas.
Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited Papiri and met with school authorities and parents. Ribadu assured them that the children were alive and would be safely returned.
“God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back,” he said during a meeting at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
The 100 freed pupils are expected to undergo medical evaluation and debriefing as security agencies continue operations to secure the release of those still in captivity.
