Weeks of anguish culminated in tears, prayers, and embraces on Monday as the remaining 130 schoolchildren and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were finally welcomed home at the Government House in Minna, Niger State. Governor Mohammed Bago received the rescued victims, describing their release as a profound relief for the state and the families who had suffered since the night armed men stormed the Catholic school. He expressed gratitude that the children and teachers had returned alive, acknowledging the tender age of many of the children, some reportedly between four and ten years old.

The Papiri abduction occurred on November 21, when armed assailants riding motorcycles stormed the co-educational boarding school at approximately 2:00 a.m. The attackers operated systematically for nearly three hours, moving from dormitory to dormitory before marching their captives into nearby forests. While at least 50 students managed to escape during the initial raid, scores of others were taken, plunging the community into fear and uncertainty and reigniting national debate about the safety of schools in Nigeria.

The rescue efforts involved sustained operations coordinated by various security agencies, including the State Security Service, the Armed Forces, and the Nigeria Police Force, with support from international partners. These efforts followed a presidential directive from President Bola Tinubu, who reportedly cancelled an official trip to personally coordinate the rescue. The Federal Government had also imposed a security cordon around border communities and deployed ground troops and aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States to track the kidnappers, while authorities ordered the temporary closure of schools in high-risk areas of Niger State.

The release of the captives was a phased process. Security agencies first secured the release of about 100 abductees on December 7 or 8. The remaining 130 students and teachers were then rescued from forests near Benin Republic’s border with Nigeria, enduring a more than 10-hour bus journey to Minna. Medical personnel were on hand at the reception, and officials confirmed that the victims would undergo health checks and psychological support before full family reunification. Governor Bago thanked President Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, service chiefs, and various security agencies, as well as traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community members for their contributions.

The Papiri incident is part of a broader surge in attacks on schools in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups increasingly target students, teachers, and rural communities for ransom. Kidnappings have become a common, structured, and profit-seeking industry, reportedly generating some $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, according to SBM Intelligence. This situation has placed an uncomfortable international spotlight on Nigeria’s grim security challenges, reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnapping by Boko Haram jihadists.

Despite the relief, some details surrounding the abduction and release remain unclear, including the exact number of individuals initially taken and the identity of the abductors. Conflicting figures emerged; the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) initially stated 315 students and staff were unaccounted for. After the release of 100 captives, about 165 were thought to remain. However, the latest announcement stated 130 were rescued, while a UN source suggested all those taken appeared to have been released due to many running off during the attack. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, which owns the school, confirmed the second batch release but did not disclose specific numbers, and its statement still included prayers for any persons who may yet be in captivity. Analysts widely suspect a ransom was paid, although this is technically prohibited by law and has not been publicly disclosed by the government.

Representing the National Security Adviser, Major-General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the Counter-Terrorism Centre, affirmed the Office of the NSA’s commitment to working with state governments and local communities to develop preventive, community-based security strategies to protect schools. While parents in Papiri celebrated the reunion as the end of a long, painful chapter, the ongoing questions about school security underscore the significant challenges Nigeria faces in ensuring children can learn without fear. Information Minister Mohammed Idris, when pressed on school safety, expressed optimism about government efforts to abate the crisis.