Authorities in Niger State have secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were kidnapped by armed men from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school last month. However, the whereabouts of another 165 students and staff are still unknown.
The attack occurred in November when gunmen stormed St. Mary’s co-educational school in Papiri, abducting 315 people. Around 50 escaped shortly after the incident, leaving 265 presumed to be held captive.
A United Nations source confirmed that the rescued children will be handed over to Niger State officials on Monday. Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare also verified the development. Local church representatives welcomed the news but said they had not yet received official communication from the federal government.
Reports did not clarify whether the release resulted from negotiations or a security operation, and there is currently no information on the remaining captives.
The mass abduction highlights ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become widespread. Armed groups, bandits, and extremist factions continue to operate across various regions, contributing to persistent instability.
Nigeria faces multiple security threats, including jihadist insurgencies in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and violent farmer-herder clashes in central states. Kidnappings have evolved into a lucrative criminal enterprise, generating an estimated $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a recent report by Lagos-based SBM Intelligence.
Mass abductions have drawn global attention since the 2014 kidnapping of schoolgirls in Chibok, which sparked international outrage. Despite efforts to improve security, hundreds of students across the country remain vulnerable to similar attacks.
