About 100 children kidnapped last month from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, central Nigeria, have been released, according to BBC, which first reported their arrival in the Niger state capital, Minna.
The children reached Minna in a convoy of minibuses escorted by military vehicles and armored carriers, where they were received by Governor Umar Bago. Officials have not yet disclosed whether the release came through negotiation, security operations, or ransom payments.
The abductions occurred on November 21, when more than 250 students and 12 staff members were taken from the Catholic school — one of the largest school kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years. The BBC reports that despite Monday’s release, around 153 students and 12 staff are still held by the gunmen.
Local media quoted the governor of neighboring Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, saying the federal government played a significant but undisclosed role in securing the children’s freedom. Security officials have declined to provide further details.
Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited Papiri and met with a delegation led by Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna.
Ribadu told families and church leaders that the children would be returned “soon,” though he provided no timeline.
Monday’s release follows a string of kidnappings targeting both schools and places of worship across northern and central Nigeria. Days before the Papiri attack, gunmen killed two people and abducted 38 worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State; all were later freed. Another attack the previous day saw two people killed and 25 Muslim students abducted from a girls’ school in Kebbi State; those victims have also since been released.
The BBC reports at least two more major incidents last week: gunmen abducted a pastor, his wife, and worshippers from a new church in Kogi State, and in Sokoto State a bride and her bridesmaids were taken during a separate attack.
Nigeria’s security crisis drew renewed international attention last month after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to deploy troops if the government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.” Nigerian officials countered that victims come from all religious communities and that there is no evidence of Christians being specifically targeted.
Authorities say the freed children will undergo medical evaluation before being transported back to Papiri, more than 300 km (185 miles) from Minna, for reunions with their families. Meanwhile, efforts continue to secure the release of those still captive.
