When Elizabeth Samuel saw the first bus pull into the Government House compound in Minna, her heart raced. She had spent nearly two weeks wondering if her daughter would ever be found. Pushing through the crowd of parents, she finally spotted her child stepping off the bus, exhausted but unharmed.

“I just held her,” Samuel said quietly.

Her daughter was one of 100 students rescued by security forces after being abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state. About 50 students escaped on their own during the same period, but 165 students and teachers remain missing.

The abduction occurred early Friday morning when armed men entered the school and forced hundreds of children and staff into the forest. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) now estimates that 315 people were affected — 303 students and 12 teachers — making it one of the largest school kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years.

International Christian Concern (ICC) confirmed the scale of the attack and called for urgent attention.

“More than 300 students and staff were abducted from a Catholic school in northern Nigeria,” ICC President Shawn Wright said. “We urge government leaders to do more to protect vulnerable Christian communities.”

On Sunday evening, after nearly two weeks of coordinated operations, a convoy of five buses escorted by armed security personnel arrived in Minna carrying the 100 rescued students.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago received the children, who were presented by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, representing National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Hong described the operation as the result of “two intensive weeks” involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and “other sister security agencies.” He added that federal and state officials were working to locate and free the remaining students and teachers.

“This administration is committed to ensuring that schools are safe for Nigerian children to learn,” Hong told reporters.

Governor Bago thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies, and local partners.

“Today is a redefining moment for Niger State,” Bago said. “We will continue to pray until the remaining students and teachers join us safely.”

He noted that medical teams had been mobilized to assess the rescued children and that the state government was coordinating with the Christian Association of Nigeria to support families during reunification.

President Tinubu confirmed he had been briefed on the return of the 100 students.

“I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work,” he said. Tinubu directed security forces to ensure the swift rescue of all remaining hostages, stating that federal and state authorities were coordinating closely.

“My directive remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely,” Tinubu said. “We must account for all the victims.”

He added that measures would be strengthened to prevent similar attacks.

“From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings,” he said in a statement. “Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for armed groups intent on disrupting their education.”
Some of the rescued children spoke about their time in captivity. One girl, Florence Machael, said the abductors warned them to remain silent.

“They gave us a trampoline to lie on,” she said. “They told us that if we made noise, we would not be released.”
Authorities have not disclosed additional details as operations to free the remaining hostages continue.

Representatives from UNICEF were on hand to support the rescued students. Theresa Pallma, the officer in charge of the UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, said 40 experts had been assembled to assess the children’s psychological and emotional well-being.

“These examinations will help guide the next steps for recovery and reintegration,” she said.

For families in Papiri and nearby communities, the return of the 100 children offered relief but not closure. Parents of those still missing held handwritten lists of students, hoping for news. Some stayed at Government House overnight, while others returned home, determined to continue following any leads until all children were accounted for. CAN officials said they were working with local churches to provide support and updates.

Although school abductions have occurred in Nigeria for more than a decade, the attack at St. Mary’s is among the largest recorded. For many Christian families in Niger state, the incident has reinforced concerns about the safety of rural Christian schools. St. Mary’s serves children from several farming communities along the Niger–Kebbi corridor.

ICC analysts noted that the region has seen increased targeting of Christian communities in recent years, including attacks on churches, farmers, and clergy.

While security sources have not publicly identified the group responsible, officials described the attackers as “terrorists operating within the forest regions between Niger and Kebbi states.”

Following the attack, ICC renewed its call for Nigerian and international leaders to bolster protection for vulnerable Christian schools and communities.

“We continue to call on U.S. and Nigerian officials to ensure that every child is brought home,” Wright said. ICC is also encouraging American churches to pray for the students still missing, their families, and the community of St. Mary’s Catholic School.

Back in Minna, Samuel said she is grateful her daughter is home, but keeps thinking about the families still waiting.

“We are praying for all of them,” she said. “We want every child and every teacher to return.”

To read more news stories, visit the ICC Newsroom. For interviews, please email [email protected]. To support ICC’s work around the world, please give to our Where Most Needed Fund.