Nigeria TV Info 

Nigeria Rescues 100 Children Kidnapped From Catholic Boarding School, Pledges to Free Remaining Hostages

Nigeria has successfully secured the release of about 100 schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, last month. The rescued pupils, aged 10 to 17, were transported to Government House in Minna on Monday in buses escorted by armed security convoys. They were welcomed by officials who assured that medical teams would examine them before reuniting them with their families.

The children were part of more than 300 students and 12 teachers taken during the November 21 attack. While around 50 escaped earlier, over 150 remain in captivity — though government and media reports differ on the exact figure. Governor Mohammed Bago pledged that efforts are ongoing to free all remaining hostages.

President Bola Tinubu praised the security forces, reiterating his directive that every abducted Nigerian must be brought home safely. Authorities did not disclose whether any ransom was paid.

UNICEF officials said the freed children would require psychosocial and medical support after spending two weeks in harsh forest conditions. One of the survivors, Florence Michael, recounted sleeping on tarpaulins and being warned to stay silent.

Parents in Papiri said they learned of the rescue through the media, leaving many anxious as they awaited confirmation of their children’s status. Locals blame armed criminal gangs notorious for mass kidnappings across northern Nigeria.

The abduction was one of several recent mass kidnappings, including the seizure of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the kidnapping of worshippers in Kwara State. These incidents have unfolded amid international scrutiny, particularly from the United States, where claims of targeted attacks against Christians have been strongly rejected by Nigerian officials who insist that all religious groups suffer from ongoing insecurity.