By Kingston Magare 1.12.2025
National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, after a visit to Papiri, Niger State Monday gave an assurance that over 250 students and teachers taken away by armed gunmen will soon reunite with the families.
The kids some of them who are as young as five-years-old have spent 10 days in the hands of the gunmen who snatched them at the St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri on November 21. Two of the parents of the children are reported to have died from the trauma of having their children in the forest with the kidnappers.
Speaking to news reporters on Mr. Ribadu’s visit in company of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Kontogora, Daniel Atori said: ” Ribadu assured us that the children are fine and will be back soon.”
“The children are where they are and will come back safely,”
The NSA also commended Bishop of Kontogora Diocese Bulus Yohanna for his resilience and acknowledged the support Nigeria is receiving from the international community, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.
Ribadu assured that the school will survive the ordeal and that security will be strengthened in the affected area. Hard copies of the investigation report were presented to the NSA before a closed-door meeting with stakeholders.
Parents and school officials, including the Principal, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang, also recounted how the abduction occurred and expressed their emotional distress as the wait continues.
Bishop Bulus Yohanna and Nuhu Ribadu.