Nigerian authorities says they've rescued a 100 children after gunmen abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Papiri on 21 November.
They arrived in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, and are set to be handed over to local government officials in Niger State on Monday (8 December), according to an unnamed United Nations source.
However, 153 children and 12 teachers are still believed to be in captivity.
One of the mothers, Monica Anthony, whose child is still in captivity, reported that they have received no updates.
“They just told us to pray, and that they will go and bring our children back to us,” she said.
Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State, Bishop Bulus Yohanna said, ‘’They (children) will come back, they (parents) shouldn’t lose hope, and we have been praying, and as I said that from my meeting with the NSA (National Security Adviser), they are fine, they are doing well, they (abductors) are looking after them (children), they are fine, it is a matter of time they will be reunited.’’
Those who saw the gunmen with the children said they were powerless to intervene due to the attackers’ weapons and are now appealling to President Bola Tinubu for more decisive action.
Meanwhile, as part of a broader government response to the school attack, the governor of Niger State announced the closure of all schools, both public and private.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago said the priority now is unity and action, not recrimination.
“This is not the time for a blame game. Our focus must be on how to rescue the children, and everyone taken in that attack,” he said.
He urged broad support for the effort, adding, “We call on all security agencies, civil society groups, organised labour and parents to concentrate on securing the safe return of these children.”
However, the Nigerian government did not immediately comment.
"We are not officially aware and have not been duly notified by the federal government. We hope and pray it’s true and will be looking forward to when the remaining will be released," said Daniel Atori, spokesperson for the head of CAN in Niger state.
Soon after the kidnapping took place two and a half weeks ago, 50 children managed to escape, according to local media reports.
Student Stephen Samuel, who was among them, said, “I ran and he (gunman) did not see me. I didn’t know where to go, so I followed the road we had come on. Eventually, I met a neighbour who recognised me. He gave me clothes and brought me home.”
The abduction occurred on 21 November at St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in the Papiri community of Niger State’s Agwara district.
The attack has drawn renewed attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security issues, amid scrutiny from U.S. President Donald Trump over the country’s alleged mistreatment of Christians.
Earlier on Sunday (7 December), a U.S. congressional delegation met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja.
Ribadu said the discussions focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and strengthening the Nigeria-U.S. security partnership.”
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