The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has confirmed the successful rescue of 11 additional students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area — one of the worst mass-kidnapping incidents in recent history.
The Papiri school attack, which occurred recently, saw hundreds of pupils and several teachers taken after armed assailants stormed the boarding school. As of the latest update from the state’s authorities and religious-community sources, 50 pupils had already escaped earlier and the fresh release brings hope for more rescues.
The state government had earlier ordered a complete shutdown of all schools in Niger State, citing insecurity, and appealed to security agencies for an intensified rescue operation.
Following the new release, the state has reassured parents and communities that efforts remain ongoing to secure the freedom of all captives. The governor thanked security agencies for their response and urged continued vigilance and cooperation from residents.
The development comes amid a heightened security environment nationwide, a factor that likely influenced the federal government’s contemporaneous declaration of a nationwide security emergency. The coordinated efforts across state and federal levels reflect the urgency policymakers are placing on restoring public safety and confidence.
