One hundred Nigerian schoolchildren rescued from kidnappers returned home on Tuesday after medical checks in central Niger state. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the reunion. These children are part of a group of over 300 students and 12 staff abducted from St Mary’s boarding school on November 21. Gunmen carried out the attack in the early hours of the morning—one of Nigeria’s worst mass kidnappings in more than ten years.
“We are currently in transit from Minna to Papiri with the 100 students,” said Daniel Atori, CAN’s spokesperson in Niger. “By now, I believe their parents are waiting at the school to receive us.” Papiri is a small hamlet about seven hours by road from Minna, the state capital.
Dauda Gwanja, a father, received a call to pick up his 15-year-old son. “We look forward to reuniting with our son and praying that this never happens again,” he said.
Not all students remain in captivity. Fifty children escaped shortly after the abduction. But more than 100 are still missing—though exact numbers vary.
Relief over the rescues quickly turned into concern. Security experts now question how authorities secured the children’s release. President Bola Tinubu and government officials have not explained the operation. It remains unclear whether negotiators paid a ransom, conducted a raid, or reached a deal with the kidnappers.
A senior government official, speaking anonymously, said they withheld details for security reasons. They also feared that public information might endanger the remaining captives. Nigeria officially denies paying ransoms to abductors—but doubts persist.
Confusion also surrounds the number still missing. On Monday, President Tinubu said 115 students were unaccounted for. Yet on Tuesday, CAN stated that 153 students and all 12 teachers remained missing.
The rescued children underwent medical checks Monday night, according to Niger state officials. They will also speak with mental health specialists.
Theresa Pamma, a UNICEF field officer from northern Kaduna, is helping care for the group. She said teachers and community members will soon receive training on supporting children with trauma. “After two weeks in captivity, those children certainly need some help,” Pamma emphasized.
This Nigerian schoolchildren kidnapping highlights ongoing security failures in Nigeria’s education system. As families celebrate reunions, pressure grows for transparency, trauma support, and stronger protections for schools nationwide.
