Families in Nigeria were given an early Christmas gift this week as 130 children and teachers kidnapped a month ago from a Catholic school were released on Sunday, government and church officials said.

Armed assailants from an unnamed group stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger state, in the middle of the night on Saturday, Nov. 22. Terrorists kidnapped 303 children and 12 teachers and forced them into the forest, authorities said. Dozens allegedly escaped shortly after the kidnapping, and security forces reportedly rescued 100 two weeks ago.

It is still unclear if all the students and staff have been freed. Conflicting reports of the original number of students and staff taken — first more than 300 and later lowered by government, church, and other representatives — have complicated the horrific ordeal. Still, families are rejoicing this week as they reunite with the 130 loved ones by Christmas.

Media outlets, including The New York Times, highlighted the discrepancy in numbers this week and whether any students or staff remained captive. It is also unclear how the 130 children were freed, whether a ransom was paid or if the children were rescued by security forces, or secured in some other way.

“The rescue of the remaining 130 children and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger state, marks a fitting end to the year,” said Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria, and appointed by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in 2023. “As it is, the Federal Government can confirm that all the abducted pupils of the Catholic School, Papiri, numbering 230, have been freed. Not a single pupil is left in captivity.

“The just-released 130 pupils are being handed over to the Niger state government, after which they will be reunited with their families. This courageous effort by our security forces reaffirms our nation’s resolve to protect its people. The Federal Government empathizes with the parents and guardians of the pupils for the agony the abduction has caused them, wishes them a pleasant family reunion, a good healing process, compliments of the season, and a Merry Christmas.”

The school, owned by the Diocese of Kontagora and run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, said in a statement on Monday only that a “second batch” of students had been released as of Sunday, Dec. 21, according to Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, secretary of the Diocese.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Niger State Government, the security agencies, and all other partners whose efforts and interventions contributed to the safe release of the victims,” Joseph said in a statement. “We also extend our sincere appreciation to the parents, guardians, clergy, religious communities, humanitarian organizations, and the wider public for their prayers, support, and solidarity throughout this challenging period.”

The local diocese said the church would share further updates and information with the public promptly to ensure “accuracy, transparency, and clarity in all official statements.”

Joseph ended his statement by saying, “May the Lord grant the swift release of those still in captivity and continue to protect His people from all dangers.”

Media outlets noted that if the 130 students are confirmed, that would bring the total released to 229 (plus one teacher), well short of the number of students and teachers originally kidnapped, and government officials did not explain the discrepancy.

While no group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, it had the telltale signs of the terrorist group Boko Horam that has used the tactic to terrorize communities. International Christian Concern (ICC) President Shawn Wright called on Nigerian and U.S. officials to swiftly act to secure their release and work on short- and long-term solutions.

“We thank the Lord for the release of the children and teachers this week, right before Christmas,” Wright said. “We will continue to fight for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Nigeria, to pray with and serve them, and do whatever we can to end their long-term suffering – whether that means through the many ICC aid projects in Nigeria, telling their stories, or fighting for them on Capitol Hill.”

The Trump administration recently named Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for not protecting Christians. Nigerian officials have not had an effective response to the violence or protected vulnerable communities, such as in southern Kaduna state, where Muslim extremists have attacked Christians.

Boko Haram is one of several militant groups working in Nigeria with ties to radical Islam. The terrorist group has highly targeted Christians, but also the government, and Muslims who haven’t joined their cause.

After Boko Haram declared allegiance to the Islamic State in 2015, part of the group splintered a year later into a separate terrorist group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

ICC has served persecuted Christians in Nigeria for decades and documented countless attacks through news articles and special reports. To help persecuted believers, ICC has launched aid projects, such as communal farms and Christian schools in Nigeria, and supported legislation on Capitol Hill that has pressured Nigerian officials. Nigeria has also been featured in ICC’s annual Global Persecution Index as one of the worst places to be a believer in Christ.

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