The Federal Government has explained the circumstances surrounding the release of the remaining schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State, confirming that a coordinated military and intelligence operation secured their freedom.
According to the Presidency, the final batch of 130 pupils taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri regained liberty after sustained pressure mounted by security agencies working with actionable intelligence.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development on Sunday, noting that the children were freed on November 21 and are expected to arrive in Minna shortly to reunite with their families.
“The successful outcome was not accidental. It followed weeks of intelligence gathering, strategic surveillance, and carefully executed security action,” Onanuga said, adding that the rescued pupils would be reunited with their parents ahead of the Christmas period.
He further explained that the latest release brings the total number of freed students to 230, after 100 others were earlier released by the abductors under undisclosed circumstances.
Moreover, the Presidency stressed that no child from the school remains in captivity, effectively closing a traumatic chapter for the Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Confirming the development separately, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, stated that all abducted pupils had regained their freedom and were in good condition.
“Every child taken from that school is now safe. None is left behind,” Dare said, describing the outcome as a major relief for parents and the wider community.
Furthermore, officials emphasised that the operation underscores the government’s commitment to deploying intelligence-led security responses to counter mass abductions, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.
The abduction of the pupils had sparked national outrage and renewed concerns over school safety in parts of northern Nigeria.
However, authorities say the latest success reflects improved coordination among security agencies and a resolve to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, images circulating online alongside official announcements showed smiling children and guardians, offering visual confirmation of the relief expressed by families after weeks of uncertainty.
Hence, the Federal Government reiterated its pledge to strengthen security around educational institutions while ensuring that perpetrators of such crimes are relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.