Federal Government Secures Release of 100 Pupils from Niger Catholic School After Two Weeks in Captivity, 165 Victims Remain

The Federal Government secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted by armed bandits from the St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The development comes more than two weeks after the devastating overnight raid that resulted in one of the largest mass school abductions in recent years.

The attack, which occurred on November 21, 2025, saw gunmen storm the school, initially taking a total of 315 people comprising 303 students and 12 teachers from their dormitories. Although 50 pupils managed to escape in the hours immediately following the attack, 265 victims (253 schoolchildren and 12 teachers) remained in captivity, plunging the remote community into fear and uncertainty.

Following the latest release of 100 pupils, a total of 153 students and all 12 teachers 165 people still remain in the bandits’ custody. While news of the release has been widely reported by major media houses, federal authorities have yet to issue a formal statement detailing the circumstances of their freedom. As of press time, it remains unconfirmed whether the release was secured through negotiation, the payment of a ransom, or an unconditional rescue operation.

Sources within the security apparatus confirm that the rescued pupils are currently undergoing mandatory medical evaluation and debriefing by security and psychological experts before the emotional process of reuniting them with their families can begin. The government has intensified security surveillance across the vulnerable border corridors spanning Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States in a bid to secure the safe return of the remaining hostages.