Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has officially received 100 schoolchildren who were freed after being abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The children, who were kidnapped on November 21 when armed men stormed their school in the middle of the night, arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna less than 24 hours after their release. They were conveyed in buses and welcomed personally by Governor Bago, alongside other state officials and traditional leaders.
The abduction, which lasted for weeks, involved over 300 students and teachers taken from the remote community. While some managed to escape during the attack, the release of this group marks a significant step in ongoing efforts to secure the freedom of all victims. The Nigerian government, working with the office of the National Security Adviser, played a key role in negotiating their safe return.
Governor Bago’s reception of the children was both symbolic and practical, as he reassured families and communities that the state remains committed to tackling insecurity. The incident has once again highlighted the challenges of school safety in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas vulnerable to bandit attacks. Parents and education advocates continue to call for stronger measures to protect students, including improved security infrastructure and rapid response systems.
For many Nigerians, the release of these children is a relief but also a reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of insecurity. The resilience of the affected families and the swift action by authorities underscore the importance of collaboration between local communities, state governments, and federal agencies. As the children reunite with their families, attention now turns to ensuring their recovery and preventing future tragedies.
