130 abducted Niger schoolchildren regain freedom
One hundred and thirty schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara local government area of Niger state, have been released.
The pupils were freed on Friday between Agwara and Borgu LGAs of the state, according to local sources.
The abduction occurred on November 21, when gunmen riding on motorbikes stormed the school and abducted 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, in an operation that reportedly lasted about three hours.
Within 24 hours of the attack, 50 pupils managed to escape, leaving 265 abductees, including all 12 teachers, in captivity. On December 7, the federal government secured the release of 100 students following coordinated rescue efforts.
The latest release brings the total number of freed students to 230.
Authorities said the rescue was made possible through intensified military operations, sustained aerial surveillance across Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states, and the deployment of community hunters to comb forest areas where the abductors were believed to be hiding.
In response to the abduction, President Bola Tinubu had earlier cancelled planned foreign trips to personally oversee the rescue efforts. The incident also led to the indefinite closure of schools in Niger state, as well as several federal institutions located in areas considered high risk.
Security agencies have not yet disclosed whether a ransom was paid or if any arrests were made in connection with the abduction.
Related to this topic:
