No fewer than 50 students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, abducted last Friday by bandits in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have escaped from captivity. The development comes amid renewed concerns over nationwide insecurity and its impact on schools and religious communities.
The escape coincided with the release of 38 worshippers kidnapped during a thanksgiving service at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Kwara State. President Bola Tinubu yesterday expressed relief over both incidents, confirming that he had been closely monitoring the situation while receiving real-time reports from security forces on the ground.
Pope Leo XIV also joined global voices calling for the immediate release of the remaining abducted students, describing the situation as heartbreaking and urging urgent international attention.
How the Students Escaped
Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (Niger State chapter) and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, disclosed in a statement that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday. According to him, the children reunited quietly with their families, prompting school officials to contact parents to confirm the identities of those who had returned.
He explained that of the 430 pupils in the primary section, 377 are boarders. With the new development, 50 escaped pupils and 141 others who were not taken remain accounted for.
At present, 253 children and 12 staff members are still in captivity.
Bishop Yohanna thanked God for the escapees but appealed for continued prayers and calm as efforts intensify to rescue the remaining victims.
Kwara Church Abductees Freed After Five Days
In a parallel breakthrough, the 38 church members abducted in Kwara State have regained freedom. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, attributed the rescue to President Tinubu’s direct intervention and the coordinated efforts of security agencies.
The governor confirmed that the President cancelled his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to focus on the security situation, particularly the attacks in Kwara and Kebbi States. Additional tactical police teams were also deployed to support the rescue operations
Tinubu: “I Will Not Relent”
Reacting to the developments, President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to national security, saying he is receiving continuous frontline updates. He emphasized that every Nigerian has the right to live safely and vowed not to rest until criminal networks are dismantled.
Pope Leo XIV Calls for Immediate Release of Remaining Captives
Deeply concerned by the scale of the mass abductions, Pope Leo XIV appealed for the immediate release of the remaining students, priests, and civilians kidnapped in both Nigeria and Cameroon. The Pontiff urged the global community to join in advocating for their freedom.
Security Chiefs Hold Emergency Meeting with Tinubu
Hours after the rescue announcements, President Tinubu entered a prolonged security meeting with service chiefs at the State House, Abuja. Those in attendance included the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the DSS.
The meeting underscored the government’s intensified efforts to contain worsening insecurity across several states.
Military Probes Alleged Troop Withdrawal Before Kebbi Schoolgirls’ Kidnapping
In Kebbi State, the military is investigating claims by Governor Nasir Idris that terrorists struck just 30 minutes after troops withdrew from a school in Maga, where 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped.
Major General Michael Onoja of Defence Media Operations said a detailed review is under way to determine troop movements at the time of the attack. He emphasised that all deployment decisions are based on intelligence assessments, adding that corrective actions would be taken if lapses were identified.
Niger Governor Raises Alarm Over Informants
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State warned that informants play a major role in enabling terrorist attacks across the country. Speaking at the Emir of Borgu’s palace, he called for stricter penalties and urged communities to cooperate fully with security agencies, stressing that intelligence sharing was vital to rescuing abducted children.
The Emir of Borgu also appealed for urgent government intervention, noting that bandits had taken over parts of the Borgu forest.
Wole Olanipekun Faults FG for Withholding Names of Terror Sponsors
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, criticised the Federal Government for failing to publicly name and prosecute terrorism financiers. He argued that shielding such individuals has emboldened criminals and weakened public trust. He urged the government to confront the issue directly rather than relying on external intervention.
13 Female Farmers Abducted in Borno
In Borno State, Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira confirmed the abduction of 13 female farmers in Askira-Uba Local Government Area. One victim escaped and reunited with her family yesterday, while the others—aged between 15 and 20—remain in captivity.
Senator Ali Ndume and local leaders have urged security forces to intensify rescue efforts.
Cleric Killed in Bauchi, Wife and Daughter Kidnapped
In another incident, bandits attacked Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, killing Islamic cleric Alhaji Muhammad Bakoshi. His wife, who delivered a baby two weeks ago, and their daughter were kidnapped. The attack has left the community in shock, although police have not yet released an official statement.