By Joe Udo
MINA (CONVERSEER) – The Federal Government has reportedly facilitated the release of 100 schoolchildren kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The abduction occurred on 21 November 2025, when armed bandits invaded the remote community around 2:00 AM.
Riding on motorbikes, the bandits operated for nearly three hours, sweeping through student hostels and taking 315 people including 303 students and 12 teachers.
Security agencies, assisted by local hunters, launched extensive search operations across surrounding forests. Within the first 24 hours, 50 pupils managed to escape and reunited with their families.
Despite the early breakthrough, 265 individuals, 253 children and all 12 teachers remained in captivity.
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In response, the Federal Government imposed a 24-hour security lockdown and deployed aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States.
President Bola Tinubu also cancelled an international trip to oversee rescue efforts, while authorities ordered the indefinite closure of all schools in Niger State and several federal institutions in vulnerable areas.
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