The Federal Government has successfully negotiated the release of 100 students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
The abduction occurred in the early hours of 21 November 2025, when heavily armed bandits on motorcycles stormed the school compound.
Witnesses said the attackers spent nearly three hours raiding the dormitories, taking 315 people, 303 students and 12 staff members, into the surrounding forests.
Security operatives, alongside local vigilante groups, immediately launched search operations, combing the dense forests near the school.
Within the first 24 hours, 50 pupils managed to escape and were safely returned to their families.
Despite these efforts, 265 people, including 253 children and all 12 teachers, remained in captivity, prompting an intensified government response.
Aerial surveillance missions were deployed across Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States, while a 24-hour security cordon was enforced in vulnerable areas.
President Bola Tinubu postponed scheduled international engagements to personally oversee the crisis response.
Federal authorities also directed the temporary closure of all schools in Niger State and suspended operations in several federal institutions located in high-risk zones.
A senior government official involved in the negotiations told reporters, “The safety of our children is our top priority. We are committed to securing the release of every individual still in captivity.”
Residents of Papiri have expressed relief over the release of the children but remain cautious, urging authorities to sustain heightened security measures.