Abducted Niger Catholic Schoolchildren Regain Freedom After Traumatic Captivity

In a significant development, all 115 abducted pupils from St. Maria's Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Niger State have been released, bringing the total number of rescued children to 265.

The abduction, one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent Nigerian history, occurred on November 21, 2025, when armed men stormed the school and seized 303 students and 12 teachers. Following sustained security operations, the remaining pupils were welcomed back, providing immense relief to their anxious families.