The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara LGA of Niger State.
How the Abduction Happened
On 21 November 2025, armed bandits invaded the remote community of Papiri around 2:00 a.m., attacking the school dormitories for nearly three hours.
They abducted 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers—and fled on motorbikes into surrounding forests.
Immediately after the attack, 50 children escaped and reunited with their families, leaving 265 victims still in captivity.
Government Response
Following the mass abduction, the Federal Government:
Imposed a 24-hour security cordon
Deployed extensive aerial surveillance across Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states
Ordered the indefinite closure of schools in high-risk zones
Mobilized security forces and local hunters for search operation.
President Bola Tinubu also cancelled planned international engagements to focus on the rescue efforts.
More details shortly..