The Nigerian government has successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Niger State on November 21, 2025. During the raid, armed assailants took a total of 315 people 303 students and 12 teachers into nearby forests. In the immediate aftermath, 50 pupils managed to escape within 24 hours, reuniting with their families, while 265 individuals, including 253 children and all teachers, remained in captivity.
In response to the crisis, the Federal Government implemented a 24-hour security cordon and initiated aerial surveillance in the affected regions. President Bola Tinubu even canceled scheduled international travel to address the situation. With the release of the 100 children, the total number freed so far stands at 150. However, details regarding their release remain unclear, as security agencies have not yet provided an official briefing or formal statement on the development.
This incident underscores the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria, a country that has witnessed the kidnapping of over 1,800 students since the infamous abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014. Rights groups and activists have heavily criticized the government’s inadequate protection for students, leading to massive school closures over 20,000 in northern Nigeria alone and exacerbating the educational crisis in the country.
As of now, the government has not released further information regarding the remaining 115 individuals still held captive, leaving families and the public anxiously awaiting updates on their fate. The situation reflects a broader challenge Nigeria faces in ensuring the safety of its children and maintaining access to education.
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