Archive · 22 Dec 2025
130 Nigerian students released after mass kidnapping
A long time ago, some bad people took many children and teachers from a school in Nigeria.
This made many people very upset.
Some children were able to run away, and the government helped save some others.
Now, more children have been let go, but we don't know exactly how many yet.
This happened because bad people sometimes take children from schools to get money.
People are hoping that the government will do more to keep schools safe.
The children who were freed will go back to their parents for Christmas.
130 schoolchildren and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Nigeria's Niger state were released.
Gunmen seized 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers on November 21; 50 escaped, and 100 were freed earlier.
The remaining 130 victims, including staff, have been released, according to Niger State police.
The release followed a military intelligence-driven operation, with the children set to reunite with their parents for Christmas.
No group has claimed responsibility, but locals blame armed gangs targeting schools for ransoms in Nigeria's conflict-battered north.
- Who
- 303 pupils and 12 staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Niger state, Nigeria
- What
- Mass kidnapping followed by the release of some abducted students
- When
- Abduction on November 21; recent release on December 21
- Where
- Papiri village, Niger state, Nigeria
- Why
- Armed gangs frequently target schools for ransom in northern Nigeria
Government
Critics
Rescue Operation
Government
The government successfully conducted a military intelligence-driven operation to release the students.
Critics
Critics question the effectiveness and transparency of the government's rescue efforts, suggesting ransom payments may have been involved.
- Date of Abduction
- November 21
- Location of Abduction
- Papiri village, Niger state
- Initial Number Abducted
- 303 pupils and 12 staff
- Number Escaped
- 50
- Number Rescued Earlier
- 100
- Number Released Recently
- 130
- Organization Behind Abduction
- Armed gangs (possibly Boko Haram)
- Date of Release
- December 21
- Location of Release
- Minna, Niger state capital
Sources
More abducted Nigerian students have been released, police say
Remaining 130 abducted Nigerian students have been released, president’s spokesman says
130 schoolchildren and staff abducted in Nigeria last month have been released, police say Abuja
Nigerian government frees 130 kidnapped Catholic schoolchildren taken by gunmen in November
Nigerian Authorities Rescue 130 Abducted Catholic Schoolchildren