Hope and relief returned to Niger State on Monday as 100 children abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, regained their freedom nearly three weeks after being kidnapped by armed bandits.

The school was attacked on November 21, 2025, in one of the latest mass abductions targeting educational institutions in northern Nigeria. A total of 315 students, pupils, and staff were initially seized during the night raid. About 50 escaped earlier, leaving over 260 in captivity.

Local media confirmed the children’s safe return late Sunday, and by Monday evening, they were received in Minna by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago during an emotional ceremony attended by security officials, clergy, parents, and representatives of international organisations.

At exactly 5:30 p.m., the thin and visibly exhausted children — aged between five and ten — arrived in a convoy of military vehicles and marched into the Government House hall to thunderous applause. Some cried tears of relief while others clung tightly to caregivers.

Governor Bago, visibly moved by their condition, expressed gratitude to security agencies and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting rescue efforts.

“We want to thank Mr President for giving us the necessary inputs to rescue these children,” the governor said with a shaky voice. “We are emotionally broken seeing their sizes and their ages… but this joy gives us strength to continue. By the grace of God, in a very short time, we will recover the remaining children, Insha Allah.”

The governor also assured parents that medical teams had been mobilised to provide urgent care before the children are reunited with their families.

Handing over the children to state authorities, a representative of the National Security Adviser, Abdullahi Hong, reiterated the government’s commitment to securing the release of those still in captivity.

President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his media aide Bayo Onanuga, welcomed the development and vowed that no victim would be left behind.

“My directive remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians must be rescued and brought back home safely,” the President stated. “From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists.”

Church leaders in Niger State also joined in thanksgiving while urging intensified rescue operations. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which runs the school, recently concluded a three-day statewide prayer and fasting for the safe return of the abductees.

“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released,” said Bishop Bulus Yohanna of Kontagora Diocese, through his spokesperson Daniel Atori. “We have been praying and waiting for their return. If it is confirmed, then it is cheering news. However, until all our children are back, we will not rest.”

Despite the celebration, concerns remain for the 115 students and 12 staff members believed to still be held by the kidnappers. It also remains unclear whether their release was secured through negotiation, a military operation, or ransom — a practice banned by Nigerian authorities but widely believed to continue underground.

The attack on St. Mary’s adds to a troubling wave of kidnappings sweeping schools, churches, and rural communities across northern and central Nigeria. Analysts say criminal gangs, driven by profit, fuel an abduction industry that netted over $1.6 million between July 2024 and June 2025, according to research by SBM Intelligence.

As families reunite with their children in Papiri in the coming days, local communities remain gripped by fear and uncertainty.

President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday discussed Nigeria’s worsening security situation, focusing on areas where both countries can strengthen cooperation.

Their conversation took place as a United States delegation, including the US Ambassador to Nigeria and senior officials, met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja over alleged Christian persecution and ongoing violence.

In a post on X, Macron confirmed his discussion with Tinubu and reaffirmed France’s commitment to support Nigeria in tackling insecurity.

He wrote, “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.
“At his (Tinubu’s) request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations.
“We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”

Macron indicated that France will collaborate with the Nigerian government to provide assistance to vulnerable communities.

His remarks follow an escalation of attacks and abductions, especially in schools and rural areas across northern Nigeria, which have attracted global concern.

The French president’s message also came shortly after Tinubu swore in a new Defence Minister, retired General Christopher Musa, and tasked him with delivering urgent results.

On November 26, Tinubu declared a national security emergency, directing security agencies to recruit more personnel immediately and deploy thousands of forces.

He further instructed them to prioritize security for schools, farms, and worship centers while urging state governors to reinforce local intelligence systems.

Tinubu’s call with Macron also comes amid growing international scrutiny, particularly from US President Donald Trump, who recently accused Nigeria of allowing genocide against Christians and threatened intervention.

Trump again placed Nigeria on the list of Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom issues and issued strong warnings about military action.

The Federal Government has repeatedly denied allegations of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians of all faiths.

Amid mounting pressure, Nigeria has turned to global partners for support.

On November 20, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted NSA Ribadu at the Pentagon for talks on addressing the crisis. That same day, the US House Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing evaluating Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern, followed by another briefing assessing its consequences.

Last Tuesday, US House Republicans warned about rising religious violence in Nigeria during a joint briefing initiated by Trump, who earlier directed Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he termed mass killings of Christians.

Ribadu confirmed his recent meeting with the US delegation, describing it as part of ongoing consultations to strengthen security cooperation.

Posting on X, he said, “This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities.”

He noted that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, joined the meeting, adding that this showed how seriously both nations view the situation.

Ribadu stated that the talks focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”

He expressed optimism that the engagement would enhance trust, collaboration and joint commitment to stability.

US lawmaker Riley Moore also confirmed his visit in a post on X, writing, “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people.”

He added, “Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!” He did not provide further details regarding the officials he met.

In a related visit, the US Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador Richard Mills traveled to Benue State on Saturday.

They met with Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi and held discussions with the Catholic Bishops of Makurdi and Katsina-Ala Dioceses, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe and Bishop Isaac Dugu.

The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, who leads the Benue State Traditional Council.

Although the official purpose was not disclosed, local reports link the visit to US concerns over religious persecution in Nigeria. Bishop Anagbe has twice briefed the US Congress this year about Christian-targeted attacks and insecurity in the country.

During Tinubu’s earlier visit to Benue after the Yelwata killings, the Tor Tiv described the situation as “nothing but genocide.”

However, Governor Alia recently told a forum in Abuja that claims of genocide are unfounded.

He said, “I am a Reverend Father, so being in governance does not take that away from me. In my state of Benue, we do not have any religious, ethnic, racial, national or state genocide. We do not have that.”

Alia’s spokesperson, Kula Terso, said the US officials informed the state that the visit was private.

He stated, “They told me it was a private visit. That is why the media was not invited to cover it. That is all I can say on that. Thanks.”

Meanwhile, Iorbee Ihagh, leader of Benue’s three main socio-cultural groups, said he believes the trip is connected to allegations of religious genocide.

He argued that although the state denied such claims, the delegation should have been taken to Yelwata and nearby internally displaced persons camps.

Ihagh, a retired Comptroller of Prisons, added, “Everyone in Benue State believes that the ongoing attacks and killings in the state amount to genocide. The Tiv paramount ruler, the Tor Tiv, made this declaration during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state following the Yelwata attack.

“The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese has visited the US Congress and presented papers on how Christians are being killed in the state and in Nigeria as a whole.”

U.S.–based physician and global health advocate, Dr. Nelson Aluya, has called on Africa’s next generation of medical leaders to embrace innovation, indigenous knowledge, and stronger preventive health strategies as the continent works toward a more resilient healthcare future.

Dr. Aluya delivered the keynote address via Zoom at the just-concluded International Health and Leadership Summit organized by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA), where he was also honoured with the NIMSA Award of the Year.

Speaking on the theme, “Leading the Future of Health Through Innovation and Untapped Potential,” Dr. Aluya described African medical students as “champions with great potential,” stressing that the continent’s health transformation rests on young professionals willing to rethink solutions, leverage technology, and drive community-centered change.

He urged participants to look beyond traditional learning models and take an active role in strengthening health systems across Africa.

A major highlight of his address was the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—particularly diabetes, which he warned has become a “present crisis” rather than a distant concern. He emphasized that prevention, early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and improved access to quality care must be prioritized by governments and health institutions.

Dr. Aluya also advocated for a renewed appreciation of indigenous African foods as part of a continent-wide strategy to combat diet-related illnesses. He noted that traditional diets—rich in whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and natural spices—offer significant health benefits that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. According to him, innovation should include revitalizing cultural knowledge and blending it with modern medical insights.

Reaffirming the summit’s theme, Dr. Aluya called for sustained investment in health technology, including efficient electronic medical records and data-driven health systems. He encouraged stronger collaboration among government agencies, private sector players, and diaspora professionals to build a more inclusive and future-ready healthcare ecosystem.

The summit ended with participants pledging to champion innovation, strengthen preventive healthcare, and promote indigenous solutions in advancing the future of health in Africa.