Tinubu orders rescue of remaining 115 pupils as 100 kidnapped Niger Schoolchildren regain freedom
A sense of relief swept across Niger State on Monday as 100 pupils abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, were reunited with their families after almost three weeks in captivity.
Governor Bago receives children amid emotional scenes
The children, aged between five and 10, were received at the Government House in Minna, where emotional parents, community leaders and officials gathered to welcome them home.
Their release marks a major breakthrough following the mass abduction on 21 November, during which 227 pupils and teachers were taken away by armed men.
Fifty of the children escaped two days after the attack, while 115 pupils and 12 staff members remain in captivity.
Handing over the freed children to Governor Mohammed Bago, a representative of the National Security Adviser assured residents that operations were ongoing to rescue those still held.
Tinubu directs security agencies to recover remaining victims
Bago, visibly shaken by the condition of the children, praised security agencies, development partners and prayer groups for their support, promising that more recoveries would follow soon.
President Bola Tinubu, reacting to the development, commended security personnel for their efforts and instructed them to intensify operations until every abducted child and teacher is safely brought home.
He emphasised that schools nationwide must no longer be vulnerable targets and pledged stronger collaboration with state governments to secure learning environments.
The rescue followed days of statewide fasting and prayers organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, where faith leaders urged unity and collective action against worsening insecurity.
