Nigerians got their first look at 130 children and teachers released after being seized in one of the largest mass abductions in the country's history. Police said they were freed Sunday, a month after gunmen stormed their Catholic school in Niger state’s Papiri community.

Papiri

A total of 130 students and teachers who were kidnapped from St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, Nigeria, have been released and arrived safely at government headquarters. The rescue was the result of a coordinated operation involving the National Security Advisor, Department of State Services, armed forces, police, other security agencies, and international partners.

These individuals were the last remaining captives from the mass abduction that occurred on November 21, one of the largest in Nigeria's history. Authorities did not disclose the conditions of their release, but reports indicate that kidnapping for ransom remains a prevalent issue in the country, with nearly 1.4 million euros paid in ransoms between July 2024 and June 2025.

Nigerians welcome 130 children, teachers released after mass abduction

Supported by armored vehicle, these minivans carrying 130 students arrived on Monday in Niger State in north-central Nigeria. They were kidnapped together with their teachers and were welcomed at the government headquarters upon arrival. And on Monday, an official for the National Counterterrorism Center provided details of the operation that liberated them. This rescue was a result of intense and coordinated operations by the National Security Advisor in conjunction with the Department of State Services, the armed forces, the Nigerian police, other security agencies and international partners, which has yielded another landmark achievement of rescuing the victims unhurt. Those 130 students and teachers were the last captives among those who were kidnapped on November 21st at St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, in one of the largest mass kidnappings in the country's history. About 50 of them escaped shortly after, while 100 were released on December 7th. This type of kidnapping is a common way for militant groups in Nigeria to make fast cash. One of the most notable incidents took place in 2014 when nearly 300 girls were abducted from their boarding school in the northeastern town of Shibak by the self-described jihadist group Boko Haram. And also on Monday, a security report announced the kidnapping of 28 people on an Islamic religious trip in the country. The government does not disclose the conditions under which hostages are released. However, according to a report by the Nigerian consulting firm SBM Intelligence, between July 2024 and June 2025, the amount of ransom paid totaled nearly 1.4 million euros.

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