All Abducted Niger Catholic School Pupils, Teachers Regain Freedom

The remaining pupils and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have regained their freedom.

A security official familiar with the operation confirmed that the latest release accounts for all those still held captive following the attack on the school.

Suspected terrorists had, on November 21, 2025, stormed the institution and abducted about 303 pupils, students and members of staff. The attackers reportedly spent nearly three hours at the school, moving from one dormitory to another before leading their captives into nearby forests.

Within 24 hours of the abduction, about 50 pupils escaped from captivity and were reunited with their families. On December 8, the Federal Government also secured the release of 100 abductees, leaving an unspecified number in captivity until the latest development.

Sources disclosed that the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital, where they will undergo medical examinations before reuniting with their families.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the Niger State Government has issued an official statement on the release.