THIS DAWN — Two weeks after the shocking mass abduction at St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, the federal government has successfully secured the release of the 100 schoolchildren taken hostage by armed bandits.
Security sources confirmed the development to TheCable on Sunday.
According to the report, it marked a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-kidnapping operations across the North-Central region.
The students, who had been held in remote forest enclaves since their abduction, were reportedly freed late Saturday after sustained pressure from a coordinated security response.
According to reliable officials involved in the rescue process, the federal government worked through multiple security channels to ensure the Papiri pupils’ safe return.
The channels include intelligence units, local vigilante networks, and community intermediaries.
Though details remain sketchy, sources say no casualties were recorded among the abducted children.
The Papiri students are said to be safe and currently undergoing medical checks, debriefing, and trauma evaluation as part of standard post-rescue procedures.
Authorities are expected to formally hand them over to the Niger State government and their families after verification and profiling are completed.
A Nation Relieved, But Questions Remain
The kidnapping occurred two weeks ago when armed men stormed the school premises.
The attack sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the increasing vulnerability of rural schools to bandit attacks.
The Papiri incident recalled previous cases—including Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, and Tegina—where mass student abductions shocked the country and drew global condemnation.
Parents in Agwara LGA, many of whom had been holding daily prayer vigils, expressed immense relief at the news of the children’s release.
They, however, urged the government to do more to prevent future occurrences.
“We thank God and thank the authorities, but this must not continue.
“Every term we live in fear,” said a parent of one of the rescued pupils.
Government Expected to Address the Public
Federal officials are expected to brief the nation in the coming hours on the wherewithal of the Papiri abduction.
They are expected to clarify the modalities of the children’s release, whether any ransom was paid, and what steps are being taken to secure schools across remote communities.
Meanwhile, security operatives say operations are ongoing to track down the gang responsible for the abduction.
They emphasized that the release of the children does not mark the end of the mission.
rather, it is the beginning of a renewed crackdown on the criminal networks terrorising Niger State and other parts of northern Nigeria.
