All Abducted Pupils Released from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State
The remaining 130 abducted pupils from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, have been released, bringing the total number of freed students to 230 with no pupils left in captivity. The abduction occurred on 21 November, when more than 250 children and staff were taken. Earlier this month, about 100 were released.
The government described the release as a moment of triumph and relief, although details on ransom payment or the release process were not disclosed. The released students are expected to arrive in Minna, the Niger state capital, on Monday.
This incident is part of a pattern of attacks targeting schools and places of worship in north and central Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported that 50 students escaped during the time of kidnapping.
Related attacks include one on 18 November in Kwara state, where 38 were abducted and 2 killed, and another in Kebbi state, where 25 Muslim students were abducted. All those taken in Kwara and Kebbi states have since been freed.
On 9 December, President Tinubu stated that the government will continue to work with Niger and other states to secure schools.
