A wave of relief swept through Niger State on Sunday as the Federal Government successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
Parents, community members, and well-wishers have begun celebrating the breakthrough, which comes after days of intense rescue efforts and coordination between federal authorities, security agencies, and local stakeholders.
Government officials, who confirmed the development, described the release as a major step forward in ongoing operations, assuring families that more positive outcomes are underway and that every remaining child will be safely reunited with loved ones.
The joyful news has rekindled hope across the country, especially in Niger communities affected by insecurity. The rescue is being widely commended as a testament to persistent intervention, improved intelligence sharing, and strengthened collaboration between security operatives on the ground.
Residents of Papiri, clergy members, and school authorities also expressed deep gratitude, noting that the recovered pupils are undergoing profiling and medical checks before being handed over to their families.
Though a number of children remain unaccounted for, authorities reaffirmed their commitment to bringing every last child home, stressing that this successful breakthrough is just the beginning of final relief.
