The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed the release of pupils and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Niger State, following a month-long captivity.
The Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed the development on Sunday. He said Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, personally informed him of the release.
Earlier, officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) disclosed that the final batch of 130 victims had been freed, bringing the total number of rescued pupils and staff to 230. The officials confirmed the development to ARISE News Channel.
The latest update contrasts with earlier statements from the school’s owners, who had indicated that 165 pupils and staff members were still being held.
The pupils were abducted on November 21, 2025, when armed gunmen attacked the Catholic boarding school, which is owned by the Diocese of Kontagora and managed by the Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Sisters.
Earlier in December, the OLA Sisters confirmed the release of 100 victims, including secondary school students, primary school pupils, nursery children, and one staff member. At the time, the congregation expressed concern for the remaining captives, most of whom were children aged between five and 13 years.
Providing a fresh update through Daniel Atori, media aide to the CAN Chairman in Niger State, Bishop Yohanna said the exact number of those released was yet to be confirmed.
He explained that the freed pupils and teachers are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday, where they will be officially received by Governor Bago at the Government House.
