Niger State map
By Abdullahi Abubakar
The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 out of the remaining 253 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Bandits stormed the remote community on 21 November 2025, arriving around 2:00 a.m. on motorbikes and operating for nearly three hours. During the raid, they abducted 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers.
Following the incident, security forces and community hunters launched intensive search operations across surrounding forests. Within the first 24 hours, 50 pupils managed to escape and were reunited with their families.
Despite this early development, 265 individuals—including 253 children and all 12 teachers—remained in captivity as authorities escalated rescue efforts.
The release of 100 abducted students marks the first major breakthrough in the ongoing rescue operation, while efforts continue to secure the freedom of the remaining captives.
