All 115 Remaining St. Mary’s Schoolchildren Freed After Niger State Abduction

All 115 Remaining St. Mary’s Schoolchildren Freed After Niger State Abduction

The 115 remaining schoolchildren of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, who were abducted by terrorists on November 21, 2025, have been released, officials confirmed on Friday.

The release comes barely a month after the mass abduction, and two weeks after 100 children were freed and reunited with their families.

The children were among 315 people, including 12 teachers, taken by armed bandits who stormed the remote school community around 2:00 a.m. on November 21. The attackers reportedly operated unhindered for nearly three hours, abducting 303 students and 12 teachers.

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Within the first 24 hours after the attack, about 50 pupils escaped, reducing the number of captives to 265.

The latest batch of released children were found on Friday evening in a forest between Agwara and Borgu local government areas, and security agents from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) were mobilized for their safe evacuation under heavy security.

Reports indicate that the release followed intensive negotiations between the government and the terrorists, although it remains unclear whether a ransom was paid.

The safe return of the St. Mary’s schoolchildren marks a significant relief for families and authorities after one of the most high-profile school abductions in Niger State in recent times.

All 115 Remaining St. Mary’s Schoolchildren Freed After Niger State Abduction