Nigerian authorities have announced the release of 130 schoolchildren and staff who were abducted from St Mary's Catholic school in Papiri, Niger State. This operation accounts for the remaining individuals held captive following the incident on November 21.
The abduction initially involved over 250 children and staff. Approximately 100 of these individuals were released earlier in December. Following the most recent release, the federal government issued a statement confirming "the rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff" and declared that "not a single pupil is left in captivity." Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated on Sunday that the total number of freed students is now 230.
Details regarding the methods employed by the government to secure this latest release, including whether any ransom payments were made, have not been publicly disclosed. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga shared images of children following their release. The freed students are scheduled to arrive in Minna, the capital of Niger State, on Monday.
Previously, following an earlier release, Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa state, informed local media that the federal government had played a key role in the efforts, adding that specific details could not be revealed due to security reasons. The Christian Association of Nigeria had reported that 50 students managed to escape during the initial abduction.