Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has received the remaining abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, completing the rescue of all victims kidnapped in the November 21 attack.

The students were handed over on Monday by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Major General Adamu Laka, who said security agencies worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerian children.

An emotional Governor Bago thanked President Bola Tinubu and the NSA for what he described as swift and decisive intervention that led to the successful rescue.

The Presidency had announced on Sunday that the remaining 130 abducted pupils had been released. “Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity,” presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare said in a post on X.

More than 300 pupils, teachers and staff were kidnapped when gunmen stormed the Catholic school in the early hours of November 21, arriving on motorcycles and in a van, and injuring the school gatekeeper.

Following the abduction, the Federal Government imposed a security cordon, launched aerial surveillance across Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states, ordered school closures in high-risk areas, and President Tinubu cancelled a planned foreign trip. Authorities had earlier secured the release of 100 pupils on December 7.