Niger State Governor Umaru Bago on Monday received the remaining students and staff abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, bringing to a close weeks of anxiety following one of the largest school kidnappings in the state.

The children were formally handed over to the governor by the Office of the National Security Adviser. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was represented at the event by Major General Adamu Laka, who led the final phase of the release and transfer.

Laka said security agencies worked around the clock after the November 21 attack to ensure that every child and staff member returned alive. He said the operation reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting children and preventing schools from becoming soft targets for criminal gangs.

According to him, intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated field operations were key to securing the release without loss of life. He added that security forces would continue to strengthen preventive measures across vulnerable communities.

Governor Bago, who appeared emotional as the students arrived, thanked President Bola Tinubu and the national security team for what he described as swift and decisive action. He said the safe return of the children was a relief to families and communities that had endured weeks of fear.

The abduction involved more than 300 pupils, teachers and staff members after gunmen stormed the Catholic school in the early hours of the day. Witnesses said the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and in a van, shooting the school gatekeeper and leaving him seriously injured.

Incident triggered federal reaction

The incident prompted an aggressive federal response. Authorities imposed a twenty four hour security cordon and launched aerial surveillance across parts of Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states. President Tinubu also cancelled planned foreign travel to focus on the crisis.

Schools across Niger State and several federal institutions in areas considered vulnerable were shut indefinitely as a precaution. On December 7, federal authorities announced the release of the first batch of 100 children, who were received by Governor Bago at the Government House in Minna.

The Presidency later confirmed that all abducted pupils had been freed, with a presidential spokesperson stating that none remained in captivity.

Bago said the state would review school safety arrangements and work with security agencies to prevent similar attacks, adding that education must never be held hostage by violence.