Remaining 115 St. Mary’s Schoolchildren in Niger State Regain Freedom 

The 115 remaining schoolchildren of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly regained their freedom.

This release comes exactly one month after their harrowing abduction on November 21, 2025.

While an official government statement is still pending, the children were reportedly released on Friday evening in a forest spanning the border between Agwara and Borgu local government areas.

The crisis began with a midnight raid that shocked the nation, leading to a massive security and humanitarian response.

* November 21, 2025: Armed bandits storm the school at 2:00 a.m., operating for three hours. They initially abduct 315 persons (303 students and 12 teachers).

* Late November 2025: In the first 24 hours, 50 students manage to escape and return home.

* Early December 2025: Following intense pressure and surveillance, 100 children are released and reunited with their families.

* December 19, 2025: The final 115 children still in captivity are released following intensive negotiations.

The release is attributed to intensive negotiations between the government and the captors. Security operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have been mobilized to evacuate the children under heavy security.

To ensure the safe return of the students, the Federal Government had previously:

* Enforced a 24-hour security lockdown across the Agwara axis.

* Launched massive aerial surveillance covering Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi States.

* Prompted President Bola Tinubu to cancel a scheduled international trip to personally oversee the rescue coordination.

As of now, it remains unclear whether any ransom was paid to secure the release of the children and their teachers.