Relief has swept across Niger State and beyond following reports that the remaining students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area, have regained their freedom, bringing an end to weeks of anxiety, uncertainty, and nationwide concern over the fate of the victims.
A security official familiar with the rescue operation confirmed the development on Sunday, indicating that the latest release accounts for all those taken during the attack on the boarding school on November 21. With the release of the remaining abductees, no victim is believed to be left in captivity.
Although the exact number of those freed in the latest operation could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report, the official disclosed via a brief post on X that “another 130 abducted Niger State pupils [have been] released,” adding emphatically that none remain in captivity.
The mass abduction, which shocked the nation, occurred when heavily armed gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in the early hours of the morning. According to eyewitness accounts and security briefings, the attackers arrived on motorcycles at about 2:00 a.m., overwhelming security around the school and moving methodically from one dormitory to another.
The assailants reportedly forced students and staff out of their rooms before marching them into nearby forests, leaving behind traumatised survivors and a devastated community. The incident reignited national outrage over persistent attacks on educational institutions and the growing threat to students, particularly in northern Nigeria.
In the days following the attack, the Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed that about 50 students managed to escape during the chaos of the raid. However, scores of others, including pupils and teachers, were taken away by the attackers, sparking widespread protests, prayers, and calls for decisive government action.
The abduction prompted swift responses from both federal and state authorities. The Federal Government immediately imposed a security cordon around border communities in Niger State, particularly those believed to provide escape routes for criminal gangs. Security operations were also intensified in neighbouring Kebbi and Kwara states.
President Bola Tinubu personally intervened by ordering the deployment of additional ground troops and aerial surveillance assets to track the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the abductees. The President also cancelled an official trip to closely monitor developments and coordinate rescue efforts, underscoring the seriousness with which the government approached the crisis.
As part of emergency measures, authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools across Niger State and some federal institutions in high risk areas to prevent further attacks. Parents, school administrators, and civil society groups welcomed the precautionary step, even as they expressed concern over the disruption to academic activities.
On December 8, security agencies announced a major breakthrough with the release of about 100 abductees. The development was greeted with cautious optimism, although officials acknowledged that an unspecified number of victims remained in captivity at the time.
The latest reported release of 130 abductees now brings the total number of rescued victims to 230, effectively accounting for all those taken during the November 21 attack. The development has been widely described as a significant success for security agencies after weeks of sustained operations across difficult terrain.
Confirming the latest release, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication and spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Sunday Dare, stated that 130 pupils had regained their freedom. While he did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding their release, his confirmation lent official weight to earlier security reports.
Sources familiar with the operation told Premium Times that the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital. Upon arrival, they are expected to undergo comprehensive medical evaluations and psychological assessments before being reunited with their families.
Medical experts say such evaluations are critical, given the physical and emotional trauma often associated with prolonged captivity. Counselling and rehabilitation are also expected to form part of the reintegration process for the victims.
Despite the positive development, as of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the Niger State Government had issued a detailed official statement outlining how the release was secured or the next steps in supporting the victims and preventing future attacks.
The silence has not diminished public relief, however, as families of the abducted pupils expressed gratitude and emotional relief upon receiving news of their loved ones’ freedom. Community leaders and religious organisations also welcomed the development, describing it as an answer to weeks of prayers and advocacy.
Security analysts note that the successful rescue highlights the importance of sustained intelligence driven operations and inter agency cooperation. They have, however, warned that the underlying security challenges remain unresolved, calling for long term strategies to protect schools and vulnerable communities.
The abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School is one of several incidents in recent years that have raised alarm over the safety of educational institutions. Rights groups and education stakeholders have repeatedly urged the government to fully implement the Safe Schools Initiative and strengthen local security infrastructure.
As the freed pupils prepare to reunite with their families, attention is now shifting to accountability and prevention. Nigerians are calling for decisive action against the perpetrators and renewed investment in school security to ensure that such a traumatic episode does not recur.
For now, the release of all abducted pupils and teachers from the Papiri attack stands as a moment of collective relief, even as it reinforces the urgent need for sustained efforts to end the scourge of mass abductions and restore confidence in the nation’s education system.
