One of the rescued schoolchildren in Niger State, Florence Michael, has narrated how kidnappers forced the abducted pupils to lie on a trampoline in a dense bush near a river, warning that any attempt to make noise would result in beatings and prolong their captivity.
Florence is among the 100 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area on November 21. She spoke on Monday shortly after the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, formally handed the children over to the Niger State Government. Ribadu was represented at the ceremony by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong.
According to the young survivor, the abductors repeatedly threatened the children, ensuring they remained silent throughout the ordeal.
“They told us if we make noise, they would beat us and we would not go back home,” she said.
“They gave us a trampoline to lie on and kept us in the bush near a river.”
Florence appealed to the government to strengthen security around schools so that children across the country can learn without fear.
During the handover, Ribadu revealed that the joint rescue operation was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, and other security agencies. He said the federal government had activated immediate short-term protection measures for schools in high-risk areas and was working with state governments, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to develop community-led, long-term solutions.
He stressed that insecurity would not be allowed to deny any Nigerian child the right to education.
Receiving the rescued pupils at the Government House in Minna, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago described their return as a significant relief for parents and the entire state.
The 100 children were reportedly dropped off by the kidnappers at a location between Lumma and Wawa towns in Borgu LGA at about 7 p.m. on Sunday. Security operatives recovered them and transported them from New Bussa through the Mokwa–Bida–Minna road to the state capital.
On November 21, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that terrorists stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in the early hours of Friday, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers. Multiple community members who visited the school described the attack as a coordinated operation that lasted between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, confirmed the incident, along with Bello Gidi, media aide to the Agwara LGA Chairman.
“Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State,” Gidi told SaharaReporters.