Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has received the 100 Abducted pupils of the St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, whose release was secured by the Federal Government.
Conveyed in separate buses, the children arrived at the Niger State Government House at about 5:20 pm and were received by Governor Bago and other government officials.
The students were formally handed over to the state government today, Monday 8 of December 2025, by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was represented at the event by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong.
While handing over the children, Hong disclosed that security agencies had worked tirelessly since the abduction to ensure the safe rescue and return of the students.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of every Nigerian child, stressing that security agencies remain resolute in implementing measures to safeguard lives and property across the country.
Receiving the rescued students, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu and Ribadu for their swift and coordinated response that led to the successful recovery of the children.
Bago assured parents and the general public that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining students still in captivity, expressing optimism that they would be reunited with their families in due course.
He called for sustained prayers to ensure their safe return and to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the state.
According to the governor, the moment marks a significant milestone in the history of Niger State, noting that he was deeply moved by the tender ages and number of the rescued children.
He added that medical personnel have been directed to conduct comprehensive health assessments on the students to ensure their physical and psychological well-being.
He further disclosed that the state government was collaborating with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), UNICEF, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen child protection mechanisms and guarantee the safe return of all abducted students.
The Federal Government secured the release of the children on Sunday, though the Presidency had yet to issue a statement on the development.
Earlier on Monday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) stated that it had not received any official notification regarding the students’s reported release.
In a statement, the Chairman of the Association, Niger State Chapter, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, noted that it would have been cheery news to learn of the abductees’ freedom.
“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 a 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 partly read.
Bandits on 21 November 2025, attacked the St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, in the remote community of Papiri, abducting 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers.
In the immediate aftermath, 50 pupils escaped within the first day and were reunited with their families.
However, 265 individuals—including 253 children and all 12 teachers—remained in captivity until Sunday, when the number was reduced to 165, following the release of 100 pupils.
The incident attracted reactions from prominent people, including the Catholic pontif, Pope Leo XIV.
The Federal Government responded by imposing a 24-hour security cordon and launching aerial surveillance across parts of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger States.
President Bola Tinubu cancelled planned international travel to address the crisis.
President Bola Tinubu Credit: X/@aonanuga1956
Authorities also ordered the indefinite closure of all schools in Niger State and many federal institutions in high-risk regions.
A student pulls her suitcase as she walks out of the Federal Government Girls College in Bwari, on the outskirts of Abuja, on November 22, 2025. (Photo by John OKUNYOMIH / AFP)
Last week, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the school in Papiri, assuring school authorities and parents that the abducted children were safe and would soon be returned.
“God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back. I give you that assurance,” Ribadu said during a visit to the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, as well as parents of the abducted children at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
Rescue of abducted Catholic schoolchildren shows Tinubu’s positive response to insecurity, says US rep
Meanwhile, Riley Moore, a member of the United States house of representatives, says the rescue of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger state, is a positive demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s response to the country’s security challenges.
Moore, who is visiting Nigeria after months of tense debate between US and Nigerian officials over alleged persecution of Christians, made the remark in an X post on Monday while reflecting on his meeting with Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s national security adviser (NSA).
The visit also comes as a follow-up to high-level security talks held between Ribadu and Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, in Washington last month.
The talks held the same day US congress heard allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
During the congressional hearing, Jonathan Pratt, senior official at the US state department’s Bureau of African Affairs, said the state department will work with the Nigerian government on measures, including a task force, to address the alleged Christian persecution in the country.
Moore, in his Monday post, confirmed that the joint task force has now been established.
He said it was a “great example” to support notions that a cooperative security framework is within sight, adding that the US’ sense of urgency on its concerns was positively received.
“There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and myself) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country,” the lawmaker said.
“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 said it is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the US.
“Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action. There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction,” he added.
Moore said he looked forward to the next steps with Nigerian government and the continued open dialogue.
