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Niger State Government Receives 100 Rescued Schoolchildren Kidnapped from Papiri
Seventeen days after terror and heartbreak gripped Papiri community in Niger State, a wave of relief finally washed over parents on Monday as the state government formally received 100 rescued schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.
The pupils, who were taken during a violent midnight raid on the school, were handed over to state officials after a coordinated rescue operation involving security agencies and local vigilante groups.
Tears, Prayers and Emotions as Families Reunite
At the brief reception ceremony, parents broke down in tears as they caught sight of their children—many running into waiting arms, others slow and visibly shaken. Some mothers fell to their knees in gratitude, while fathers clutched their children tightly, refusing to let go.
According to the Niger State Government, the rescued pupils will undergo medical evaluations, trauma counselling and profiling before being fully reunited with their families.
17 Days of Fear, Sleepless Nights and Endless Prayers
The children were kidnapped during the early hours of November 21, when armed bandits stormed the school, overpowering security and whisking away students in what became one of the largest abductions in the state in recent years.
For more than two weeks, Papiri community lived in fear, praying for good news as security forces intensified the search across forests connecting Niger, Kebbi and parts of Kwara State.
Their release has now brought some measure of comfort but not closure because many students remain in captivity, and their families are still calling for urgent government intervention.
State Government Reacts
Officials who received the children described the operation leading to their return as “tactical, coordinated and result-oriented,” praising the efforts of the joint security team.
The Niger State Government reiterated its commitment to securing the remaining abducted students and strengthening protection around schools, especially those located in remote or high-risk communities.
Parents Still Waiting, Communities Still Hurting
While joy echoed in some homes, silence and fear lingered in others. Families whose children were not among the rescued still remain in anguish, hoping for another breakthrough in the coming days.
Community leaders have appealed for sustained military presence and long-term security support to prevent yet another tragedy.
A Long Road Ahead
For the 100 freed pupils, recovery will take time. Trauma experts say many will need months of emotional support to overcome the fear, shock and violence they witnessed.
But for now, their return is a moment of hope proof that resilience still exists, and that the collective push for their freedom was not in vain.
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