Abuja, Nigeria
All 230 schoolchildren snatched from a boarding school in central Nigeria have been released, ending a days-long ordeal that had sparked national outrage and international concern. The final group of 130 pupils from St Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri community of Niger State regained their freedom on Sunday, according to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The mass abduction occurred when gunmen stormed the school, dragging the children away into the surrounding forests. While officials confirmed that the successful rescue was a result of “sustained security pressure” and coordinated efforts by multiple agencies, they have not disclosed specific details of the operation or whether a ransom was paid. The release brings an end to a period of intense anxiety for the families, who had been waiting for news since the attack.
A Pattern of Insecurity
Mass kidnappings, particularly targeting educational institutions, have become a recurring crisis in northern and central Nigeria. These attacks often follow a similar pattern:
- The Target: Remote boarding schools where security is often light.
- The Method: Armed gangs, locally known as “bandits,” arrive on motorcycles and kidnap large numbers of students for ransom.
- The Outcome: Protracted negotiations or military rescue operations, often leaving schools in the region closed for months due to safety fears.
The latest incident has intensified calls for the Nigerian government to take more decisive action to protect students. Stakeholders are demanding a permanent security presence around schools in vulnerable areas to prevent a recurrence of the “Papiri abduction,” which has once again highlighted the precarious nature of education in parts of the country.
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