Parents of kidnapped students from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State can now heave a sigh of relief as the Federal Government has announced the release of 100 students from their abductors
The TVC News and Channels Television report the development on Sunday, the Federal Government is yet to make an official pronouncement at press time.
The Papiri community had come under a brutal attack on November 21, when gunmen on motorbikes swept into the quiet settlement at about 2 am. For nearly three hours, the assailants overran the school premises, rounding up victims in a coordinated operation.
About 315 people were seized during the raid—303 students and 12 teachers. Within the first 24 hours, about 50 pupils managed to escape and were reunited with their families, reducing the number of victims held by the attackers to 265.
Sunday’s release of 100 pupils marks the first significant breakthrough since the mass abduction, raising hopes for the rescue of the remaining captives still in detention.
