Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Nigeria Releases 100 Kidnapped Schoolchildren
The Nigerian government has successfully negotiated the release of 100 schoolchildren who were kidnapped last month.
The children were taken from St Mary’s Catholic boarding school in a place called Papiri.
The Christian Association of Nigeria says that 315 children and staff were kidnapped in total, but 50 escaped shortly after.
The government is working to free the rest of the children and staff.
This is one of the biggest kidnappings in Nigeria's history.
The US government has threatened military intervention, but the Nigerian government has rejected this.
The fate of the remaining 165 children and staff is still unclear.
Nigerian authorities secured the release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren from a Catholic school.
The children were abducted on November 21 from St Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger state.
A total of 315 children and staff were kidnapped, with 50 escaping shortly after.
The released children arrived in the capital Abuja and are set to be handed over to local government officials.
The fate of the remaining 165 students and staff thought to still be in captivity remains unclear.
- Who
- Nigerian authorities, kidnappers, UN sources, local media
- What
- Release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren
- When
- December 7, 2023
- Where
- Papiri, Niger state, Nigeria
- Why
- Government negotiation efforts
US Government
Nigerian Government
US Military Intervention
US Government
US President Donald Trump has alleged a 'genocide' against Christians in Nigeria and threatened military intervention.
Nigerian Government
The Nigerian government and independent analysts have rejected the US framing of a 'genocide' and the need for military intervention.
- Number of children released
- 100
- Date of abduction
- November 21, 2023
- Location of abduction
- Papiri, Niger state, Nigeria
- School involved
- St Mary’s Catholic boarding school
- Total kidnapped
- 315 children and staff
- Number of children escaped
- 50
- Number of children and staff remaining in captivity
- 165
- Date of release
- December 7, 2023
- Location of release
- Abuja, Nigeria
Sources
Nigerian government secures release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren, Channels TV says
100 kidnapped school kids released, fate of 165 unknown as Nigeria tackles one of its worst mass abductions
Nigerian authorities secure release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren: UN sources reveal
Nigerian government rescues 100 schoolchildren kidnapped from Catholic school, Christian association official says