100 Nigerian Students Rescued, 165 Still Missing After Islamic Attack On Catholic School (Worthy News In-Depth)

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

ABUJA (Worthy News) – Some 100 students have been rescued, and about 50 others escaped following Nigeria’s largest Christian school kidnappings in recent years, several sources confirmed Wednesday.

However, at least 165 students and teachers remain missing after suspected Islamic attackers raided St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, a rural community in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, last month, investigators said.

In comments shared by Christian advocacy group International Christian Concern (ICC), mother Elizabeth Samuel recalled seeing the first bus enter the Government House compound in Minna, Niger State’s capital. Her “heart raced,” she said.

She spent nearly two weeks wondering if her daughter would ever be found after the predawn abductions on Friday, November 21.

Pushing through crowds of anxious parents, she finally saw her daughter step off the bus, “exhausted but unharmed.”

“I just held her,” she said.

Her child “was one of 100 students rescued by security forces,” ICC explained. “About 50 students escaped on their own, but 165 students and teachers remain missing.”

HUNDREDS MARCHED INTO FORESTS

The armed group stormed the school at dawn and marched hundreds of terrified children and staff into the nearby forests, according to Christian witnesses.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) estimates that 315 people were taken — 303 students and 12 teachers.

“We urge government leaders to do more to protect vulnerable Christian communities,” said ICC President Shawn Wright.

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

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago received the students, who were presented by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, representing the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Hong described the rescue as the result of “two intensive weeks” involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and “other sister security agencies.”

He said efforts were continuing to locate the remaining captives.

GOVERNMENT DEMANDS SWIFT ACTION

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

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

“Today is a redefining moment for Niger State,” he acknowledged amid mounting pressure from concerned parents and advocates. “We will continue to pray until the remaining students and teachers join us safely.”

Medical teams were mobilized to assess the children, and officials coordinated with CAN to support families awaiting reunification, Worthy News learned.

President Tinubu confirmed he was briefed on the children’s return. “I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work,” he said.

Tinubu ordered a whole rescue operation for all remaining abductees. “My directive remains that all students and other abducted Nigerians must be rescued and brought home safely,” he said. “We must account for all the victims.”

He directed federal and state agencies to enhance school security. “Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for armed groups intent on disrupting their education,” he added.

SURVIVORS DESCRIBE CAPTIVITY TIME

Some of the rescued children shared brief details of their ordeal. One girl, Florence Machael, said the abductors warned them to remain silent.

“They gave us a trampoline to lie on,” she explained. “They told us that if we made noise, we would not be released.”

Authorities declined to release additional operational details but said the search continues.

Representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, were present to support the rescued students.

Theresa Pallma, the officer in charge of UNICEF’s Kaduna Field Office, said 40 experts had been assembled “to evaluate the children’s psychological and emotional condition.”

In Papiri and nearby communities, parents of missing students held handwritten lists, anxiously hoping for updates, witnesses noticed.

Some stayed overnight at Government House in Minna; others returned home while closely following developments, ICC said.

CHURCHES ALSO PROVIDE COUNSELING

CAN officials said they were working with local churches to provide counseling and ongoing information.

The massive abduction at St. Mary’s, which shocked Nigeria because of its scale, came while the institution serves farming communities along the Niger–Kebbi corridor, an area targeted by armed groups.

ICC analysts noted “a rise in attacks on Christian villages, churches, clergy, and farmers across north-central Nigeria.”

While security sources have not publicly named the perpetrators, officials reportedly described the gunmen as “terrorists operating within the forest regions between Niger and Kebbi states.”

Following the attack, ICC renewed calls for both Nigerian and international leaders to do more to protect Christian students and schools.

“We continue to call on U.S. and Nigerian officials to ensure every child is brought home,” Wright said.

NIGERIA DANGEROUS FOR CHRISTIANS

The remarks came while Christian watchdog Open Doors placed Nigeria at number six on its annual World Watch List of what it views as the world’s most dangerous countries for Christians.

Open Doors said Nigeria ranks high in part because of “Relentless attacks” by Islamic extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, Islamic Fulani herdsmen, and armed bandits.

Worthy News documented numerous attacks against Christian institutions as well as kidnappings of Christian students, clergy, and church workers.

Thousands of Christians are killed each year, including in Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt, according to Worthy News investigations.

“Weak state protection” allows militants to operate with near impunity, critics say.

Back in Minna, Elizabeth Samuel said she is grateful her daughter is home — but her heart remains with the families still waiting. “We are praying for all of them,” she stressed. “We want everyone back home.”

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