Final Hostages Freed in Nigerian School Kidnapping
Nigerian officials announced on Sunday that the remaining 130 children and staff taken from St Mary's Catholic boarding school in Papiri have been rescued. This follows the earlier release of about 100 students earlier this month, bringing the total number freed to 230.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the development, stating "not a single pupil is left in captivity." The federal government described the event as a "moment of triumph and relief" after one of the country's worst mass kidnappings.
The abduction occurred on 21 November when over 250 individuals were seized from the school in Niger state. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, 50 students managed to escape during the initial attack.
Details about how authorities secured this latest release have not been made public, including whether any ransom was paid. When the first group was freed, Nasarawa state governor Abdullahi Sule told local media that the federal government played a crucial role, though security concerns prevented disclosure of specific efforts.
The students are expected to arrive in Minna, the Niger state capital, on Monday. Photographs released by officials showed children smiling and waving following their rescue.
Pattern of School Attacks
This incident represents the latest in a series of targeted attacks on educational and religious institutions across northern and central Nigeria. Just days before the St Mary's kidnapping, two other significant abductions occurred.
On 18 November, attackers struck the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara state, killing two people and taking 38 hostages. The previous day, assailants abducted 25 Muslim students from Government Girls' Secondary School in Kebbi state, leaving two dead. All victims from these earlier incidents have since been freed.
While responsibility for these kidnappings remains unclear, most analysts attribute them to criminal gangs seeking ransom payments. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated on 9 December that his administration would continue collaborating with Niger and other states "to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our younger ones."
