Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has received the remaining students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, bringing to a close weeks of anxiety following their abduction by armed gunmen.
The rescued victims were handed over to the state government on Monday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented at the event by Major General Adamu Laka.
The handover marked the completion of a coordinated security operation that led to the safe recovery of all those taken from the school.
Speaking during the ceremony, Major General Laka said security agencies had worked relentlessly from the moment the abduction occurred to ensure the safe rescue of the students and staff.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of Nigerian children, stressing that safeguarding lives remained a top priority for the administration.
He also assured Nigerians that security agencies would continue to implement robust measures aimed at preventing similar incidents and strengthening national security.
Bago, who was visibly emotional as he received the rescued victims, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for their swift response and decisive leadership, which he said were instrumental to the success of the rescue operation.
The governor’s remarks followed confirmation by the Presidency on Sunday that all 130 remaining abducted pupils had been freed, with none left in captivity.
Presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, announced the development in a social media post, describing the outcome as a major relief for affected families and the nation at large.
More than 300 students, teachers, and staff were kidnapped in the early hours of November 21 when heavily armed gunmen stormed the Catholic school.
According to reports, the attackers arrived in large numbers, riding over 60 motorcycles and supported by a vehicle.
During the attack, the school’s gatekeeper was shot and seriously injured.
In response to the incident, the Federal Government imposed a 24-hour security lockdown in the area and launched aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states.
President Tinubu also suspended planned international travel to personally oversee efforts to resolve the crisis.
Authorities further ordered the indefinite closure of schools across Niger State and several federal institutions in high-risk areas as a precautionary measure.
On December 7, the government announced the release of the first batch of 100 abducted pupils, who were earlier received by Governor Bago at the Government House in Minna.
The release of the remaining students and staff has been widely welcomed, marking the end of one of the most disturbing school abduction incidents in the state and renewing calls for stronger measures to protect educational institutions across the country.
