Governor Bago Welcomes 100 Rescued St Mary’s Students, US Congressman Praises FG Response
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago on Monday welcomed 100 students of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, following their release less than 24 hours after it was announced. The children were transported in buses to the Niger State Government House, where Governor Bago and other officials received them at around 5:20 pm. The students were abducted on November 21 when gunmen on motorbikes attacked the school around 2:00 am, holding the campus for nearly three hours. Reports indicate that 303 students and 12 teachers were initially kidnapped, while about 50 pupils escaped within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families. U.S. Congressman Riley Moore commended the Federal Government for the rescue, describing it as a positive reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s response to Nigeria’s security challenges. “I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children. This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu,” Moore wrote on X. The U.S. lawmaker also noted that a joint task force has been established between the U.S. State Department and the Nigerian government to address reports of Christian persecution in the country.
