The 100 schoolchildren of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, who were freed on Sunday night, have been officially handed over to the Niger State government. The state authorities announced that the students will first undergo comprehensive medical examinations before being reunited with their parents.
It is worth noting that the students were rescued on Sunday, joining an earlier group of 50 who escaped two days after more than 300 students were abducted from the school. They arrived at the Niger State Government House around 5:15 p.m., escorted under tight security from Abuja, appearing frail and exhausted.
During the handover, Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, representing the National Security Adviser (NSA), said the Federal Government’s intervention was crucial to securing the schoolchildren’s release, noting that the operation was a coordinated effort by the Army, DSS, and Police.
Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago described the students’ release as a significant day for both the government and the people of the state.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and all the security agents that made the release of the students possible.
Governor Bago, who disclosed that the children will undergo medical check-up before reuniting with their families, added that the government is praying for the release of remaining children from their abductors.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to ensure the safe return of the remaining 115 students and their teachers still held by the terrorists.
In a statement released Monday night by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President reaffirmed that “the Federal Government will continue to collaborate with Niger State and other states to secure our schools and create a safer, more conducive learning environment for our children.”
The statement added that President Tinubu has commended the security agencies for their tireless efforts in securing the freedom of the 100 students of Papiri Catholic School in Niger State.
“While expressing his joy over the safe return of the students, President Tinubu equally charged the security agencies to ensure the swift release of the remaining 115 students and their teachers who are still held hostage.
“President Tinubu assured the parents that both the federal and the Niger State governments are working closely to reunite all the abducted students with their families.
“I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State. I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21
President Tinubu emphasized that his directive to security forces is clear: all abducted students and other Nigerians across the country must be rescued and safely returned home. He stressed that the Federal Government will continue collaborating with Niger State and other states to secure schools and ensure a safer, more conducive learning environment. “From now on, our security agencies, in partnership with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be vulnerable to heartless terrorists seeking to disrupt their education and inflict trauma on them and their families,” he said.
