By Kingston Magare 8.12.2025
Niger State governor Umaru Bago Monday evening received 100 abducted students of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The children were conveyed in buses to the government house in Minna and were received by the governor and other officials at about 5.30pm. The 100 kids that were released were part of the 315 students and teachers that were taken away from the school by gunmen on November 21. 50 out that number escaped; with the release of the 100, 165 others are still in the custody of the kidnappers believe to Fulani militia.
Earlier on Monday the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State had said it had no information on the release of the kids.
The students were formally handed over to the state government today, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, representing NSA Nuhu Ribadu did the handover.
Hong disclosed that security agencies had worked tirelessly since the abduction to ensure the safe rescue and return of the students.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of every Nigerian child, stressing that security agencies remain resolute in implementing measures to safeguard lives and property across the country.