Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Nigerian authorities have announced the release of 130 schoolchildren from St Mary’s Catholic school in Niger state. This comes after the earlier release of 100 students earlier this month. Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare confirmed on X that no students are left in captivity, sharing a photo of the smiling children.
The kidnapping happened in late November when gunmen attacked St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in the rural Papiri area of north-central Niger state. Hundreds of students and staff were taken, creating shock and fear among local communities.
The exact number of students and staff abducted is still unclear. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported that 315 people were kidnapped. About 50 escaped immediately, and the government secured the release of around 100 students on 7 December.
A statement from President Bola Tinubu later suggested that roughly 115 people remained in captivity. The remaining children are expected to be moved to Minna, the state capital, on Tuesday. Details on who carried out the attack or how the government secured the release have not been disclosed.
Mass kidnappings for ransom have become common in Nigeria, highlighting the country’s serious security situation. Recent incidents have also targeted Muslim schoolgirls, church worshippers, and farm workers, showing that both Christians and Muslims face threats in different regions.
Nigeria, home to 230 million people, continues to deal with armed gangs in the north-west and jihadist groups in the north-east. While foreign leaders have sometimes called these attacks a “genocide,” Nigerian officials reject this term. The safe return of these children brings hope but also highlights the urgent need for stronger protection of students across the country.
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