All abducted St Mary’s Schoolchildren in Niger state regain freedom

All students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.

The final group of abducted children regained their freedom on Sunday, concluding the rescue of about 265 students who were taken during the attack.

Their release ends a traumatic ordeal that lasted for nearly a month.

Abduction described as one of Nigeria’s largest school kidnappings

The incident occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when armed gunmen stormed the boarding school and abducted 303 students along with 12 teachers, making it one of the most significant mass school abductions recorded in recent Nigerian history.

The attack triggered nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of educational institutions, particularly boarding schools in vulnerable communities.

Escapes, phased releases and security intervention

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, about 50 students managed to escape on their own, while another 100 students were released on December 8 following sustained security operations.

The release of the remaining 115 students marked the final phase of the rescue efforts and has been widely described as a major breakthrough by security agencies involved in the operation.

Families of the rescued children have expressed deep relief, as authorities continue to face growing calls to strengthen school security and prevent future attacks on learning institutions.