Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has received 100 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, whose release was secured by the Federal Government.
The children arrived at the Niger State Government House at about 5:20 pm on Monday, December 8, 2025, conveyed in separate buses, and were received by Governor Bago and other officials. The students were formally handed over by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), represented at the event by Wing Commander Abdullahi Dare.
During the handover, officials highlighted that security agencies had worked tirelessly since the abduction to ensure the safe rescue of the children. They reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of every Nigerian child and stressed that security agencies would continue implementing measures to safeguard lives and property nationwide.
Governor Bago thanked President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for their swift and coordinated response, which led to the recovery of the children. He assured parents and the public that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the remaining students still in captivity. The governor also directed medical personnel to conduct comprehensive health assessments on the rescued students.
The state government is collaborating with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), UNICEF, and other stakeholders to strengthen child protection mechanisms and ensure the safe return of all abducted students.
The abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, when bandits attacked the school in Papiri, abducting 315 individuals—303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty pupils escaped on the first day, while 265—including 253 children and 12 teachers—remained in captivity until Sunday, when the number was reduced to 165 following the release of 100 pupils.
In response to the incident, the Federal Government imposed a 24-hour security cordon and launched aerial surveillance across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States. President Tinubu also canceled planned international travel to address the crisis, and authorities ordered the indefinite closure of all schools in Niger State and many federal institutions in high-risk areas.
Last week, the National Security Adviser visited the school, assuring school authorities and parents that the abducted children were safe and would soon be returned.
The release of the 100 pupils marks a significant milestone in Niger State and is a step toward the reunification of all abducted students with their families.