A final group of 130 kidnapped Nigerian schoolchildren freed by the government on Sunday are expected to be reunited with their families in the central Niger state on Monday, ending a month-long ordeal that drew global concern.
The children were among more than 300 pupils and 12 staff seized from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, a hamlet seven hours’ drive from the Niger capital Minna, on November 21 in one of the country’s worst school kidnappings in recent years.
The circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted children remained unclear, with no confirmation on whether their freedom was secured through negotiations, ransom payments, or a security operation. No details were released on the fate or condition of the kidnapped staff.
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The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora expressed appreciation to federal and state authorities, security agencies, and humanitarian partners for their roles in securing the children’s release.
“We are profoundly grateful for their efforts and interventions,” Rev. Fr Jatau Luka Joseph said in a statement.
Mass abductions for ransom continue to affect communities across northern and central Nigeria, where armed groups, locally known as bandits, take advantage of weak security and extensive ungoverned rural areas.
United States President Donald Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and has threatened military action. Nigerian authorities maintain that the armed groups target both Muslims and Christians and insist efforts to end the violence remain ongoing, despite continued attacks
Background of the Mass abduction in Niger State
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In late November 2025, armed gunmen attacked St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, a community in Niger State, central-northern Nigeria. They abducted more than 300 pupils and 12 staff members in one of the largest school kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years.
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During the initial raid, about 50 pupils escaped soon after being seized. Security forces and authorities initiated responses, but the exact identity of the attackers was not publicly confirmed.
Phased releases
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On December 8, 2025, Nigerian authorities reported the release of about 100 children from captivity. It was described as a government effort, though details on how the release was achieved were limited.
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On December 21–22, 2025, authorities announced that the final group of 130 remaining students had also been freed, bringing the total number of students released to more than 230. Government and military spokespeople said the releases followed a military-intelligence driven operation, but they did not disclose whether this involved direct force, negotiations, or ransom payments
Sunday Michael Ogwu is a Nigerian journalist and editor of Pinnacle Daily. He is known for his work in business and economic reporting. He has held editorial roles in prominent Nigerian media outlets, where he has focused on economic policy, financial markets, and developmental issues affecting Nigeria and Africa more broadly.
