The Federal Government has secured the release of 100 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The development, reported on Sunday by TVC News and Channels Television, comes as federal authorities were yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
Gunmen had invaded the remote community on Nov. 21, storming the school at about 2 a.m. They operated for nearly three hours after arriving on motorbikes.
A total of 315 persons were abducted, including 303 students and 12 teachers.
About 50 pupils escaped within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families, leaving 265 victims in captivity.
Following the attack, security agencies, including police tactical units and military personnel, were deployed to the area, with operations launched to comb surrounding forests in search of the abductees.
The incident adds to the recent surge in school kidnappings across the country.
On Nov. 17, gunmen attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Dankowa-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, abducting 25 girls and killing the vice principal.
In Kwara State and other parts of the North-Central region, insecurity has deepened, prompting the closure of several schools and the review of security measures by state authorities.