Nigeria’s Federal Government has confirmed the successful rescue of all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, a rural community in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, bringing to an end weeks of anxiety for families and renewed national concern over school safety.
The announcement was made in a press statement issued on Sunday, 21 December 2025, by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who described the development as a major relief for the country and those directly affected. Okay News reports that the latest release involved the remaining 130 abductees, marking the conclusion of rescue operations following the attack on the boarding school.
“The rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, marks a fitting end to the year,” the minister said.
According to the statement, the freed pupils and staff members are currently being transferred to the Niger State Government, which will oversee their reunification with families and provide necessary support services.
“The just released 130 pupils are being handed over to the Niger State Government, after which they will be reunited with their families,” Idris stated.
He further confirmed that the successful operation means no victim remains in captivity, stressing that all those taken during the attack have now regained their freedom.
“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.
The Minister commended Nigeria’s security agencies for their coordinated efforts, describing their actions as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting citizens, especially children in educational institutions.
“This courageous effort by our security forces reaffirms our nation’s resolve to protect its people,” Idris noted.
He also expressed sympathy with parents and guardians who endured weeks of distress following the abduction, extending seasonal goodwill to the affected families.
“The Federal Government empathises with the parents and guardians of the pupils for the agony the abduction has caused them, wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, compliments of the season and a Merry Christmas,” the minister said.
The pupils were abducted on Friday, 21 November 2025, when armed attackers stormed the school in the early hours, arriving on motorcycles and moving through dormitories before forcing pupils and staff into nearby forest areas.
The incident triggered widespread public outrage across Nigeria and intensified debates around the safety of schools, particularly in rural communities facing recurring security threats.
On Sunday, 08 December 2025, security agencies secured the release of about 100 abductees, leaving others in captivity until the final breakthrough announced this week. The latest release of 130 victims brings the total number rescued to 230.
