The government of Nigeria has reportedly secured the release of 100 schoolchildren kidnapped last month from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Agwara, Niger state. Local media confirmed the development on Sunday, though official details remain limited.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) previously announced that 303 children and 12 teachers were abducted on November 21 in one of the largest school kidnappings recorded in the country.
Dozens Escaped Initially, But Many Remained Missing
Following the attack, at least 50 children managed to escape within the first 48 hours. However, there had been no updates on the remaining kidnapped students—some reportedly as young as six years old—until news of Sunday’s release surfaced.
Channels Television first reported the development but did not provide further information regarding how the children were freed or whether negotiations were involved.
CAN Says It Has Not Received Official Confirmation
Despite local reports, both Niger state officials and CAN said they had not yet been formally informed by the federal government.
CAN spokesperson Daniel Atori stated: “We are not officially aware and have not been duly notified by the federal government. We hope and pray it’s true and will be looking forward to when the remaining will be released.”
The Nigerian government has not issued a statement confirming the release.
One of Nigeria’s Worst Mass Kidnappings
The abduction at St. Mary’s is considered one of Nigeria’s most severe mass kidnappings, occurring just days after 25 schoolgirls were seized from a boarding school in nearby Kebbi state.
Nigeria has battled a surge in school kidnappings for more than a decade. Since the infamous Boko Haram abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, an estimated 1,500 students have been kidnapped across the country.
International Spotlight and Political Tensions
Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis gained renewed global attention after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened potential military action over what he claimed was the persecution of Christians in the country.
The Nigerian government rejected the allegations, arguing that Trump’s remarks misrepresented the nation’s complex and multifaceted security challenges.
