A wave of relief and jubilation swept through Niger State on Monday as 100 school children abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, returned safely to their families after nearly three weeks in captivity.

President Bola Tinubu, welcoming the return of the 100 students, immediately renewed efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers, directing security agencies to intensify operations and ensure the safe return of all victims.

St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri was invaded on November 21, 2025, with the Christian Association of Nigeria claiming 303 students were abducted.By November 23, 50 of the schoolchildren escaped captivity and were reunited with their families.

The proprietor of the schools and Niger State CAN chairman, Rev Bulus Yohanna, confirmed that a total of 227 students, including 12 teachers, were abducted during the attack. With the return of 100 students, 115 students and 12 students remained in captivity.

The 100 rescued children, aged between five and 10, were welcomed by emotional parents, dignitaries, and security personnel in a heartwarming ceremony at the Niger State Government House.

The crowd had earlier besieged the Government House, patiently awaiting the arrival of the 100 freed abducted school children after the announcement of their freedom on Sunday evening.

At exactly 5.30 pm, the children, 100 of them, marched in a single file into the hall to a resounding applause and shout.

Looking visibly malnourished and famished, they could not hide their joy as they felt freedom at last.

The 100 freed students were among 315 pupils, students, and teachers abducted from the schools on November 21, 2025.

A representative of the National Security Adviser, Abdullahi Hong, handed the children over to the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago.

In an emotion-laden speech, Bago promised that the rest of the abducted students would also be rescued soon.

“We want to thank Mr President for giving us the necessary inputs to rescue these children. We want to thank the NSA and every person who has been responsible for the recovery of these children.

“We want to thank development partners here, UNICEF and others, also, we thank you all. And for those who have been praying, continue to pray.

“We wish to recover the other students who are still in captivity. And by the grace of God, in a very short time from now, we are going to recover them Insha Allah,” he said.

He assured parents and guardians of the rescued students that they would be safely handed over to them soon.

“We have called on medical health workers to look at them. They will be checked properly before taking them back to their parents.

“We are working closely with the Christian Association of Nigeria to make sure that they are safely returned home.

“Let me thank everybody here for staying this late just to receive these children. It is important that we all stay here to receive them.

“I am emotionally broken down because I saw their sizes, their ages, you know, but it’s not for today, thank you, and God bless,” Bago said.

Welcoming the news of the release of the students, President Tinubu directed security agencies to secure the immediate freedom of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers still in captivity.

“I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work,” the President said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

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

Tinubu said the Federal Government was working with the Niger State Government to reunite the children with their families and strengthen security at schools nationwide.

“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,” he added.

Mass school abductions have plagued Nigeria since Boko Haram seized 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014, triggering a copycat industry of kidnappings for ransom.

Niger State has suffered repeated hits, including the February 2021 Kagara abduction of students and staff, while recent weeks have seen coordinated raids on schools and worship centres in Kebbi and Kwara states.

In his declaration of a security emergency on November 26, Tinubu ordered a surge of operations to protect schools, farms and places of worship, insisting service chiefs coordinate closely with state governments.

Earlier on Sunday, the Niger CAN had said it was not aware of the release of 100 of the abducted Agwara students.

The state chairman and proprietor of St Mary Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, said in a statement by his media aide, Daniel Atori.

Yohanna,  who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora, said, “It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return. If it is true, then it is cheering news.”

The release followed a three-day fasting and prayer organised by CAN in Niger State.

The spiritual exercise began on Friday across the 25 LGAs and was concluded on Sunday in 1st ECWA Church in Minna.

Christians drawn from various denominations converged to pray for the release of 265 children and teachers, stressing that the pupils were being kept for too long.

Yohanna, in his sermon, charged the people, irrespective of their religion, tribes or political affiliation, to join the prayers to end insecurity in the state.

Represented by the Deputy Chairman, Rev Ezekiel Ibrahim, the CAN chairman urged all to come together to pray for divine intervention, so as to defeat the common enemy.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged the judiciary to expedite hearings in cases involving terrorism, human trafficking, kidnapping and other violent crimes, stressing that the judiciary must support national efforts to combat insecurity.

The AGF made the appeal on Monday in Abuja during the ceremony marking the commencement of the Court of Appeal 2025/2026 Legal Year.

The event was also attended by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who promised improved accommodationfor judges to allow them discharge their duties without distractions associated with poor living conditions.

In his remarks, the AGF said all hands must be on desk to tackle the country’s insecurity challenges, calling on judges to support the government by fast-tracking the trial of terrorists.

Fagbemi said, “At this solemn juncture in our national life, it is also impossible to ignore the grave challenge of insecurity that confronts our country. From insurgency and terrorism to banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes, these threats imperil not only the safety of our citizens but also the very fabric of our constitutional democracy.

“The judiciary, as the guardian of justice and the custodian of the rule of law, must lend its weight to national efforts to combat insecurity through firm, consistent and courageous adjudication, the courts can ensure that those who threaten peace and stability are held accountable, that impunity is dismantled, and that the sanctity of human life and property is protected.”

He stressed that the judiciary is more effective when terrorism cases are swiftly heard.

“The judicial system’s effectiveness strengthens when terrorism cases receive swift hearings and resolutions, which demonstrates that terrorism faces immediate and decisive legal action.

“The Federal Government remains deeply committed to combating terrorism through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. It recognises that the swift administration of justice is a vital complement to military and intelligence operations.

“Accordingly, rather than resorting to indiscriminate detention or relying solely on battlefield engagements, the government is focused on the timely prosecution of suspects implicated in mass-casualty attacks, kidnap-for-ransom networks, extremist recruitment, and terror-financing activities,” Fagbemi said.

While acknowledging that the courts needed more personnel, he said the present administration was committed to strengthening the judiciary.

“The government is equally mindful that this can only be achieved by enhancing the capacity of the judges who would handle these cases and other cases in the docket of our courts.

“The government of President Bola Tinubu, is therefore committed to the immediate appointment of additional judges of the Federal High Court to reinforce and boost our national counter-terrorism efforts and ensure that terrorism-related cases and other cases are handled promptly and effectively.

“Let me also seize this opportunity to call on all citizens to unite in confronting the scourge of terrorism. This is a time for collective resolve – not distraction – as we work together to secure our nation.”

In his speech, the FCT Minister, Wke,  assured judges of the FCT High Court that budgetary provisions had been made for the construction of additional residential houses to address accommodation challenges facing judicial officers.

He said the housing project formed part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen the judiciary by improving the welfare, security and working conditions of judicial officers.

A statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, quoted Wike as saying, “The reasoning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is that providing comfortable and secure accommodation allows judges to focus entirely on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions.”

He disclosed that, under the President’s directive, the FCT Administration had formally handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and commenced full perimeter fencing of the complex to safeguard the nation’s apex court against encroachment and security threats.

According to him, the intervention was long overdue and would serve as a confidence-building measure for the entire judiciary.

“This swift intervention gives the apex court the much-needed confidence that had been lacking in past administrations. This confidence-building action trickles down to every arm of the judiciary,” Wike added.

The FCTA had previously flagged off several judicial infrastructure projects, including the construction of residences for Heads of Courts, a new Magistrate Court complex in the Jabi District, and staff quarters at the Nigerian Law School.

Others include the design and construction of the Court of Appeal complex in Abuja, as well as residential quarters for judges of the National Industrial Court and the Federal High Court.

In his address, Wike reaffirmed the commitment of the FCTA to supporting comprehensive justice sector reforms, stressing that his administration would consolidate existing gains and expand support where necessary.

“The FCT Administration remains resolute in its determination to further support the implementation of justice reforms. Our priorities for the 2025/2026 Legal Year are focused on consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is needed.

“Justice must never be compromised under any circumstances, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust,” the minister said.

Wike expressed optimism that the new legal year would usher in greater efficiency and improved justice delivery for the Court of Appeal.

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The United States delegation on fact-finding mission over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria was in Benue State on Monday where they interacted with Catholic bishops and the Tiv traditional ruler.

US congressman, Riley Moore, disclosed this in a post on X on Monday, expressing strong support for Tiv and Christian leaders from Benue State.

“It was an honour and deeply moving to meet with his excellency Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ioruza, traditional ruler of the Tiv people, to discuss the ongoing genocidal campaign by the Fulani in Benue State,” Moore wrote.

The congressman, who has been vocal about attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, added that the US would not ignore the suffering reported by local leaders.

“Our brothers and sisters in Christ will no longer suffer in silence,” he said. “The United States has heard your cries and we are working diligently toward solutions.”

In an earlier post, Moore commended the Federal Government’s openess and willingness to work with the US to tackle the raging insecurity  in Nigeria, following an engagement with  Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday.

Moore had earlier shared on X that he concluded a “very productive visit to Nigeria,” adding, “More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”

Providing further updates on Monday, on his X, the US congressman said the discussions focused on terrorism in the North-East and killings in the Middle Belt, describing the issues as a specific concern for President Donald Trump and himself.

Moore said the US delegation and Nigerian officials examined concrete steps and actions that he believes could improve security if carried out fully.

The congressman noted, “There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and me) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.”

He also referred to the rescue of 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren, thanking the Nigerian government and President Bola Tinubu.

“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children.

“This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu,” he wrote.

The congressman said US concerns were “positively received” and pointed to what he described as a “now established joint task force between Nigeria and the US” as an example of cooperation.

However, he added that, “It is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the United States to tackle these critical issues.

“Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action.”

Moore added that, “There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction. I look forward to the next steps with the Nigerian government and the continued open dialogue.”

He closed his message with, “Peace be with you all. God bless the great people of Nigeria.”

On Sunday, the NSA announced that he hosted a US congressional delegation as part of ongoing security consultations between both countries.

Ribadu, in a message shared on his X handle, said the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington DC, centred on mutual security interests.

“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 said.

He added that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also present at the meeting, a development he said “reflected the importance both nations attach to this engagement.”

According to Ribadu, discussions during the meeting focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability,” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”

“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.

The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, a move accompanied by threats of possible US military intervention.

The Federal Government has repeatedly dismissed claims of systemic Christian persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects citizens of all religious backgrounds.

On November 20, the US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted the NSA at the Pentagon for discussions on coordinated strategies to address the crisis.

That same day, the US House Subcommittee on Africa opened a public hearing to examine President Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

Lawmakers met to evaluate the potential implications of the designation.

Last Tuesday, House Republicans issued warnings about rising religious violence in Nigeria during a joint briefing called at the direction of President Trump, who on October 31 instructed Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he described as the slaughter of Christians in the country and report its findings to the White House.

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