6 months ago
2
Some 130 schoolchildren and unit abducted from a Nigerian Catholic schoolhouse past period by gunmen person been released, constabulary said connected Sunday (December 21, 2025).
Gunmen seized astatine slightest 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers successful Nigeria's north-central Niger authorities erstwhile they attacked St. Mary's Catholic School successful the Papiri assemblage connected Nov 21.
Fifty escaped successful the hours that followed, and 100 schoolchildren were freed earlier this month.
Niger State constabulary spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said successful a connection that “the remaining batch of the abducted students" has present been released.
“A full fig of 130 victims, including the staff, person been released,” Mr. Abiodun said.
When asked astir the 35 unaccounted-for schoolchildren and missing teachers, Abiodun told The Associated Press: “Further details volition beryllium communicated.”
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said successful a station connected X that the “remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted” person been released.
He said the released schoolchildren would get successful Minna, the Niger authorities capital, connected Monday and rejoin their parents for Christmas.
“The state of the schoolchildren followed a subject intelligence-driven operation,” Mr. Onanuga said.
Sunday Dare, different spokesperson for Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, besides said 130 schoolchildren were released and that nary are near successful captivity, successful a station connected X.
No radical has claimed work for the Nov 21 abduction, but locals blamed equipped gangs that people schools and travellers successful kidnappings for ransoms crossed Nigeria's conflict-battered north.
The Niger authorities onslaught was among a spate of caller wide abductions successful Nigeria, and happened 4 days aft 25 schoolchildren were seized successful akin circumstances successful neighbouring Kebbi state's Maga town. A religion successful confederate Kwara authorities was besides attacked astir the aforesaid time, and the 38 worshippers abducted successful that onslaught past period were freed.
Bola Tinubu had been nether unit astatine location and from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has alleged that Christians are being targeted successful Nigeria's information crisis.
Nigerian authorities usually bash not accidental overmuch astir rescue efforts, and arrests successful specified cases are rare. Analysts judge that's due to the fact that ransoms are usually paid. Officials bash not admit outgo of ransoms.
