The Federal Government has confirmed the successful rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara local government area of Niger State, bringing the total number of freed pupils to 230 and marking the end of the ordeal.
In a statement issued to journalists on Sunday night in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the release of the final batch of abductees represented a moment of triumph and relief for the nation, particularly for the affected families.
“As it is, the federal government can confirm that all the abducted pupils of the Catholic School, Papiri, numbering 230, have been freed. Not a single pupil is left in captivity,” he said.
According to him, the recently rescued 130 pupils were being handed over to the Niger State Government and will subsequently be reunited with their families.
The minister described the operation as a courageous effort by Nigeria’s security forces, noting that it reaffirmed the country’s resolve to protect its citizens, especially vulnerable children.
“This courageous effort by our security forces reaffirms our nation’s resolve to protect its people,” Idris stated.
He added that the Federal Government empathised deeply with the parents and guardians of the pupils over the trauma caused by the abduction and extended goodwill messages to the families as they reunite.
“The Federal Government empathizes with the parents and guardians of the pupils for the agony the abduction has caused them and wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, compliments of the season, and a Merry Christmas,” the statement said.
The rescue operation brings closure to a painful chapter for the affected community and caps the year with renewed hope, as authorities reaffirmed their commitment to improving security and safeguarding schools across the country.
