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Tag: Niger

Governor Bago Welcomes 100 Rescued St Mary’s Students, US Congressman Praises FG Response

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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.

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CAN Reveals It Has Not Been Officially Notified About Release Of 100 Abducted Niger State Students

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has clarified that it has not received any official confirmation about the reported release of 100 students abducted in Niger State. Bishop Bulus Yohanna, Chairman of CAN’s Niger State chapter, said in a statement on Monday that while news of the children’s freedom would be welcomed, the association has yet to receive any formal update on their whereabouts. “It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return. If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified. We hope and pray it’s true and will be looking forward to when the remaining will be released,” the statement read. The students were abducted on November 21, 2025, when bandits attacked St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the remote community of Papiri, taking 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty pupils managed to escape the same day and were reunited with their families. Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited the school, assuring authorities and parents that the children were safe and would soon be returned. Commenting on the reported release on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, retired Major General John Enenche, a former director of media operations at the Defence Headquarters, praised the Federal Government and security agencies for their efforts. “My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this. I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out,” Enenche said.

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BREAKING: FG Secures Release Of 100 Schoolchildren Abducted In Niger State

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The Federal Government has reportedly secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State. The school came under attack by bandits on 21 November 2025, when gunmen on motorbikes stormed the dormitories around 2:00 a.m., holding the campus for three hours. A total of 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers—were abducted during the raid. In the aftermath, 50 pupils managed to escape on the first day and were quickly reunited with their families, while 265 individuals, including 253 students and all 12 teachers, remained in captivity. Security forces, alongside community hunters, were deployed to comb nearby forests for the abducted students and staff. The Federal Government also imposed a 24-hour security cordon and launched aerial surveillance across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States. President Bola Tinubu cancelled planned international engagements to oversee the response, and authorities ordered the indefinite closure of all schools in Niger State, along with several federal institutions in high-risk regions.

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Father Dies of Heart Attack After Three Children Abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School, Niger State

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The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern Region and the FCT, Rev. John Hayab, has disclosed that a parent died of a heart attack following the abduction of his three children at St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. Speaking to ARISE News on Tuesday, Hayab highlighted the immense trauma experienced by families affected by recent kidnappings in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states. He identified the grieving father only as Mr. Anthony, who was reportedly overwhelmed by the shock of losing his children. “People want to see concrete action. Imagine a mother or a father whose daughter… one of the parents (Mr. Anthony) of these girls picked in the school, died yesterday of a heart attack because three of his children are victims,” Hayab said. He added, “People don’t understand that when you tell it as it is, you’re not speaking against anybody; you are only trying to state the problem. The pains and the trauma are still very fresh. We tried speaking to the parents today, and they were scared of speaking to us.” The revelation underscores the emotional toll that the recent spate of school kidnappings is taking on affected families.

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Tinubu Orders 24-Hour Security Sweep of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger Forests Amid Surge in Terror Attacks

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President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive security operation across the forests of Kwara State, extending the measure to Kebbi and Niger States in response to a recent spike in terrorist attacks and mass abductions. The President instructed the Air Force to intensify aerial surveillance over remote forest areas suspected of harboring terrorists, as part of a broader effort to curb kidnappings and violent incidents. According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the operation will include 24-hour monitoring and close coordination with ground security units. “This directive also covers the Kebbi and Niger states axis, where many victims are expected to be rescued,” the statement noted. Local communities have been called upon to promptly report any unusual movements or activities to support the work of security forces.

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Catholic Releases Names of 265 St. Mary’s School Students and Teachers Still in Captivity

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The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora in Niger State has released the names of 265 students and teachers still in captivity following an attack on St. Mary’s School, Papiri. On November 21, armed men stormed the school, abducting 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, 50 students managed to escape on Sunday. On Monday, the diocese published a list of those still held: 239 students from nursery and primary schools, 14 secondary school students, and 12 teachers, totaling 265 individuals. Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, stated that security forces are working tirelessly to secure the safe release of the abducted students and staff. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has also called on the public to pray for the safe return of all those kidnapped.

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Fifty Children Escape From Niger School Abductors As CAN Confirms 315 Taken

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Fifty children who were among the hundreds abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, have successfully fled from their captors and returned to their families, according to a fresh update from the Christian Association of Nigeria. The children escaped in two waves between Friday and Saturday, prompting CAN officials to begin contacting parents directly to verify their return. The confirmation followed visits to several homes, where families reported that their children had shown up on their own after wandering away from the abductors. CAN explained that the primary section of the school has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders. After accounting for those who escaped and those who were never taken, authorities now say 236 pupils remain in captivity. They are being held alongside three children of staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff — a total of 253 people still missing. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who oversees the school, urged residents to remain calm and prayerful, noting that the situation is still unfolding. He assured the public that church leaders are working closely with security agencies, community heads and government officials to secure the release of every remaining hostage. The mass abduction happened on Friday when armed attackers overran the school. While early reports estimated 227 victims, a detailed verification carried out by CAN revealed that 315 people were actually taken — 303 students and 12 teachers. The corrected figure emerged after parents who initially believed their children had escaped later returned to report them missing. CAN’s checks showed that 88 of those students were captured while attempting to flee during the chaos of the attack.

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Niger State Orders Closure of All Schools After Papiri Kidnapping

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Niger State has ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools following the kidnapping of students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. Governor Umaru Bago made the announcement on Saturday after a security meeting with heads of security agencies. A statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said the governor directed that all Missionary and Islamic schools, as well as Federal Government Colleges, remain closed until further notice. Tertiary institutions in Niger North Senatorial District and other high-risk areas in Niger East Senatorial District are also affected. Governor Bago called on security agencies, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and labour unions to focus on the rescue of the abducted pupils, assuring that the government is committed to protecting lives and property. He described the abduction as “sad and unfortunate” and said efforts are underway to secure the safe return of the students. The exact number of abducted pupils is still unknown, as the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and other security agencies conduct a headcount. The closure follows similar measures in Katsina and Plateau states in response to rising attacks on schools. The federal government has also shut all 47 Unity Colleges nationwide, citing recent security threats and the need to prevent further incidents.

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