Nigerian authorities have confirmed the release of 130 kidnapped students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, ending a harrowing ordeal that began in November. The announcement comes after 100 children were freed earlier this month, leaving no students in captivity, according to presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare.

“Another 130 Abducted Niger State Pupils Released, None Left In Captivity,” Dare wrote on social media platform X on Sunday.

Background: Mass Kidnappings at St Mary’s

The mass abduction occurred in late November at St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in the rural hamlet of Papiri, north-central Niger State. Hundreds of students and staff were initially reported missing, evoking memories of the 2014 Boko Haram kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls.

Estimates of the total number of people taken have varied. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) initially reported that 315 students and staff were unaccounted for. About 50 escaped immediately, and government efforts secured the release of 100 on December 7, leaving roughly 165 still believed to be in captivity prior to Sunday’s announcement.

Final Verification and Return to Minna

A UN source confirmed to AFP that all abducted children have now been released. Many had fled during the attack and made their way home independently. The dispersed locations of the children’s villages, often hours away on rural roads, complicated efforts to account for everyone.

Daniel Atori, CAN spokesman in Niger State, noted that the students would be transported to Minna, the state capital, for final verification on Monday.

Security Context in Nigeria

Kidnappings for ransom are a widespread tactic among armed groups and criminal gangs in Nigeria, particularly in the northeast and northwest regions. The country has faced a surge of mass abductions in November, affecting schools, church congregations, and community events.

Recent incidents include:

• Abduction of two dozen Muslim schoolgirls
• Kidnapping of 38 church worshippers
• Hostage-taking of a bride and her bridesmaids

These events highlight the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria, where multiple armed groups, including bandits and insurgents, operate across large rural territories.

Kidnap-for-Ransom Crisis

Analysts note that Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom industry has evolved into a structured, profit-seeking operation, raising approximately $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, according to Lagos-based consultancy SBM Intelligence.

The crisis has drawn international attention. Former US President Donald Trump alleged mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, labeling the situation a “genocide,” and threatened military intervention. Nigerian authorities and independent observers have rejected this characterization.

Conclusion

The release of the 130 kidnapped Catholic schoolchildren marks a significant success for Nigerian security forces and highlights ongoing efforts to combat kidnappings for ransom. However, the recurring nature of such abductions underscores the need for continued vigilance and strengthened security in vulnerable regions of Nigeria.