One of the pupils rescued in Niger State, Florence Michael, has shared harrowing details of how the abductors forced them to sleep on a trampoline deep inside the bush, warning that any noise would lead to severe punishment.
Florence was among the 100 schoolchildren taken from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area on November 21. She spoke on Monday after the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, officially handed the children over to the Niger State Government. Ribadu was represented by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong during the handover.
She recalled that throughout their captivity, the kidnappers repeatedly threatened them to stay quiet.
“They told us that if we made any 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 close to a river.”
Florence pleaded with authorities to strengthen security around schools so that children across the country can learn without fear.
During the handover ceremony, Ribadu explained that the rescue mission was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, and other security agencies.
He stated that the federal government had already implemented fast-response security measures for schools located in high-risk regions while working with governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders to develop long-term, community-driven protection strategies.
Ribadu stressed that no Nigerian child should be denied access to education because of insecurity.
Receiving the children in Minna, Niger State Governor Umaru Bago described the operation as a major relief for affected families and the state.
The abducted pupils were reportedly dropped off by the kidnappers on Sunday evening at a location between Lumma and Wawa in Borgu Local Government Area. Security forces retrieved them and transported them from New Bussa through the Mokwa–Bida–Minna route to the state capital.
On the day of the incident, November 21, SaharaReporters reported that armed men invaded St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., abducting students and teachers. Multiple community members confirmed the coordinated attack.
Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, the Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the council chairman, also verified the abduction.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Gidi affirmed, “Yes, it is true that bandits kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Agwara LGA, Niger State.”
