Relief and tears of joy flooded Niger State on Monday as 100 students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara, were finally reunited with their families after 19 days of captivity.
The children, ranging from five to ten years old, arrived at the Government House in Minna to scenes of raw emotion, parents embracing their kids, prayers of thanksgiving, and overwhelming gratitude that they made it home alive.
Their return is a major breakthrough following the November 21 mass abduction, when armed attackers stormed the school and seized 227 pupils and staff members.
Two days later, 50 pupils escaped on their own, but 115 children and 12 staff members remain missing.
During the handover ceremony, a representative from the National Security Adviser’s office confirmed that rescue operations for those still held captive are actively continuing.
Governor Mohammed Bago, visibly emotional seeing the frail condition of the children, thanked security agencies, development partners, and prayer groups who played crucial roles in the rescue.
He assured parents that more children would be brought home soon.
President Bola Tinubu praised the security forces for their progress and ordered them to intensify efforts until every abducted student and teacher is safely home.
He emphasized that Nigerian schools cannot continue to be easy targets for criminals and promised stronger collaboration with state governments to secure educational institutions across the country.
The rescue follows days of fasting and prayer organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), with faith leaders calling for unity as insecurity continues to worsen across the region.
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