MINNA, NIGER STATE: Nigerian authorities have successfully rescued 100 schoolchildren abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village. This marks one of the country’s largest recoveries of abducted individuals in recent years. However, many parents are still uncertain whether their children are among those freed.
The children were handed over to Niger State officials at the Government House in Minna on Monday. President Bola Tinubu celebrated the rescue but emphasized the need to account for all the victims. He directed security forces to ensure that every abducted Nigerian is returned safely, highlighting that no child should be left behind.
The government has not revealed how the children were freed, leaving questions about whether the release followed negotiations, ransom payments, or a security operation. One rescued pupil, Florence Michael, described the harsh conditions she endured, recounting sleeping on a tarpaulin in the forest and being instructed to remain silent.
The abduction took place on November 21, when armed kidnappers took more than 300 pupils and 12 staff from the school. While 50 children had escaped earlier, many remain unaccounted for. Parents of the missing children have expressed frustration, noting the lack of communication from authorities, which has intensified their anxiety.
The abduction has drawn widespread condemnation, renewing concerns over rising insecurity in northern Nigeria. The region has seen a surge in school kidnappings, especially since the 2014 Chibok abduction. President Tinubu pledged stronger measures to protect children, adding that several schools have closed due to repeated threats. A U.S. congressional delegation visited Nigeria on the same day, discussing joint efforts to combat armed groups.
