Our Reporter, Abuja
All abducted schoolchildren taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri community of Niger State have now been released, following the freedom of the final group of 130 pupils, bringing the total number rescued to 230.
Officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the development on Sunday.
The latest release brings an end to days of fear and uncertainty for the families of the victims and marks a major breakthrough for security agencies involved in the rescue operation. With the freedom of the last group, authorities confirm that no pupil remains in captivity.
The children were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and reignited serious concerns over the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
Security sources say the successful release of all the pupils was achieved through sustained pressure on the kidnappers and coordinated efforts among security and intelligence agencies. While details of the operation remain limited, officials describe the outcome as a significant success.
The incident has once again intensified calls from parents, educators, and civil society groups for stronger protection of schools and more decisive action to prevent future attacks on students.
Further details are expected as authorities continue to brief the public.
