ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities announced Sunday that the final 130 schoolchildren and staff members kidnapped from a Catholic boarding school in late November have been released, ending a weeks-long hostage ordeal that has gripped the nation.
The students were abducted on November 21 when gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, located in the central Niger state. The mass kidnapping, which originally involved more than 250 people, was one of the most significant security crises facing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu this year.
A ‘Moment of Triumph’
In a statement released Sunday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the “rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff,” asserting that no students from the school remain in captivity. Onanuga described the development as a “moment of triumph and relief” for the country.
The news follows a partial release earlier this month, where approximately 100 students were returned to their families. According to government figures, the total number of students freed through official channels now stands at 230. An additional 50 students reportedly managed to escape into the bush during the initial raid in November.
Questions Over Ransom and Logistics
While the government celebrated the release, officials remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the operation. It has not been formally disclosed whether a ransom was paid or if the release was the result of a military rescue or a negotiated deal.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of neighboring Nasarawa state previously noted that the federal government utilized “behind-the-scenes efforts” that could not be publicized due to national security concerns.
The freed students are expected to arrive in Minna, the capital of Niger state, on Monday for medical evaluations and reunions with their families. Photos released by the presidency showed children smiling and waving, a stark contrast to the harrowing reports of their abduction.
A Growing Security Crisis
The raid on St. Mary’s was not an isolated incident. It was part of a violent surge in targeted attacks on educational and religious institutions across north and central Nigeria.
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November 17: 25 Muslim students were abducted from a secondary school in Kebbi state.
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November 18: 38 people were taken from the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara state.
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November 21: The mass abduction at St. Mary’s in Papiri.
While all captives from the Kebbi and Kwara attacks have since been freed, the frequency of these “industrial-scale” kidnappings has placed immense pressure on the Nigerian government. Security analysts largely attribute these raids to “bandits”—organized criminal gangs motivated by profit rather than ideology.
The Path Forward
In the wake of the latest release, President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to school safety. On December 9, he stated that his administration would continue to collaborate with regional partners “to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our younger ones.”
Despite the relief of Sunday’s announcement, the lack of transparency regarding how these releases are secured remains a point of contention for critics who worry that undisclosed ransom payments may only serve to fuel future abductions.
