No fewer than 130 schoolchildren and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State, who were abducted by bandits on November 21, have regained their freedom after spending one month in captivity, the Presidency has confirmed.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, via a post on X, where he disclosed that all remaining abductees had been released.
“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released, none left in captivity,” Mr Dare wrote, sharing photographs of the freed pupils.
Armed bandits had stormed St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri on November 21, abducting over 300 pupils and their teachers. Shortly after the attack, 50 of the abducted pupils escaped on their own and were reunited with their families. Subsequently, another 100 captives were released on December 7 following negotiations between the government and the bandits.
The latest release brings an end to the ordeal, with authorities confirming that no victim remains in captivity.