The remaining 115 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have regained their freedom, bringing an end to the mass abduction that shocked the state last month.
The children were released on Friday evening, nearly one month after they were taken by armed terrorists who invaded the school community in the early hours of November 21, 2025. Their release comes two weeks after 100 other pupils had earlier been freed and reunited with their families.
The attack, which occurred around 2:00 a.m., saw the assailants operate for close to three hours without resistance, carting away a total of 315 persons, made up of 303 students and 12 teachers. Within the first 24 hours of the incident, about 50 pupils reportedly escaped from captivity, reducing the number of abductees to 265.
Sources disclosed that the latest group of freed pupils was released in a forest area between Agwara and Borgu local government areas of the state. Security operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser were immediately mobilised to evacuate the children under heavy security.
Although the release followed weeks of sustained negotiations between government officials and the abductors, authorities have not confirmed whether any ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the pupils.
The development has been welcomed with relief by parents, residents, and stakeholders, as the children are expected to undergo medical checks and psychological support before full reintegration with their families.
