The Nigerian Government has confirmed the rescue of an additional 130 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State in November 2025, effectively bringing the hostage crisis to a close. The announcement was made on Sunday, December 21, with presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare stating that no students remain in captivity.
The mass abduction occurred in late November 2025, when gunmen stormed St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in the rural community of Papiri, kidnapping hundreds of students and staff. Initial confusion surrounded the exact number taken, with the Christian Association of Nigeria estimating 315 victims. About 50 escaped shortly after the attack.
Government efforts led to the release of around 100 students on December 7, followed by the latest group of 130. A UN source indicated that the remaining rescued students, largely girls and secondary school pupils, would be transported to Minna, the Niger State capital, on Tuesday.
Earlier official statements had varied on the number still in captivity, with President Bola Tinubu previously indicating 115 people remained held. The latest development marks a decisive close to one of Nigeria’s most alarming school abduction cases in recent months, underscoring renewed momentum in state-led rescue operations and crisis resolution.