Breaking: All abducted pupils from St. Mary’s Catholic school released, none remain in captivity

The remaining 130 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State have been released, marking the full recovery of all 230 schoolchildren taken during the attack.

Officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser confirmed the release on Sunday.

The abduction, which occurred when gunmen stormed the boarding school, had sparked nationwide outrage and raised urgent concerns over school safety in Nigeria. Families of the pupils have breathed a sigh of relief following days of anxiety.

Authorities say the successful release was the result of sustained security pressure and coordinated rescue efforts. The development underscores calls for stronger protection of schools and decisive action to prevent similar attacks in the future.