Emotional Christmas Reunion in Papiri
In north-central Nigeria, tearful families embraced schoolchildren who returned home on Wednesday night after enduring a month in captivity. The 130 students and educators were released on Sunday, concluding one of Nigeria's most extensive mass abduction incidents.
Villagers gathered as mothers hugged their children tightly, lifting some joyfully into the air while carefully checking for any signs of harm. The emotional scenes marked the final group's return from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, targeted on November 21.
Parental Relief and Celebration
"This Christmas, since we are celebrating Christmas with our children, we are so glad. And this Christmas will be different from the others," expressed Yusuf Timothy, whose daughter Rejoice was among those freed.
"I am happy, I am happy," said Rita Marcus through tears as she reunited with her son. "This happiness, it is too much."
Timothy described how his family's life had been suspended since the kidnapping: "Sometimes even though I'm asleep with my wife, if we wake up, we will start thinking. We will start crying. When are we going to see our child?"
Security Crisis in Nigeria
School kidnappings for ransom have escalated into a significant security challenge across Africa's most populous nation. Initially, authorities reported 303 students and 12 teachers were taken in the Niger state attack, but later adjusted the figure to 230, confirming all have now been released without detailing the circumstances.
Most abducted children were between 10 and 17 years old, according to school officials. Student Onyeka Chieme previously recounted to The Associated Press how gunmen threatened to shoot them during the assault.
