100 Abducted Niger Pupils Regain Freedom.

The Federal Government has successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attack took place on 21 November 2025, when armed bandits on motorbikes invaded the school’s dormitories around 2:00 a.m., holding the premises under siege for nearly three hours. A total of 315 people were abducted—303 students and 12 teachers.

Shortly after the incident, 50 pupils managed to escape and were reunited with their families. This left 265 people—253 students and the 12 teachers—in captivity.

Security operatives, supported by local hunters, launched intensive search operations in the surrounding forests. The Federal Government also enforced a 24-hour security cordon and deployed aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States.

President Bola Tinubu cancelled his planned international engagements to personally supervise the rescue operations. Authorities also ordered the indefinite closure of all schools in Niger State and several federal institutions located in high-risk zones.