The final group of 115 students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Niger State has been released, concluding a month-long hostage crisis. Officials confirmed the rescue on Saturday. This final release brings the total number of rescued children to approximately 265. The mass kidnapping occurred on November 21, 2025, when armed gunmen attacked the boarding school in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area, seizing 303 students and 12 teachers. Earlier in the ordeal, 50 students managed to escape shortly after the abduction, while another 100 were released on December 8 following security operations. The safe return of the remaining students marks a significant relief for their families and represents a crucial victory for the security forces involved in the rescue efforts.
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