Reports indicate that the Federal Government has successfully secured the release of 100 pupils kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to Tori News, the school was attacked on November 21, 2025, when armed bandits stormed the remote Papiri community around 2 a.m. Riding on motorbikes, the gunmen invaded the school dormitories over a three-hour operation, abducting 315 people—including 303 students and 12 teachers.
Following the mass abduction, security operatives and community hunters launched intensive search operations across surrounding forests in an effort to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe return of the victims.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, 50 pupils managed to escape within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families. However, 265 victims—comprising 253 children and all 12 teachers—remained in captivity.
Sunday’s reports now confirm a breakthrough, with 100 of the kidnapped pupils released following coordinated efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies.
Details surrounding the rescue operation, including the condition of the freed children and ongoing efforts to secure the remaining captives, are expected to emerge as authorities continue to address the crisis.