The final group of students and teachers held captive after a November raid on a boarding school in Niger State have been released. Local sources and security officials confirm the victims are now free.
Armed men on motorcycles attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri on November 21st. They invaded dormitories for hours before taking captives into nearby forests.
During the initial attack, at least 50 students managed to escape. About 100 others were freed in a first release operation on December 8th, but an unknown number remained in captivity until now.
A security official involved said this latest release includes all remaining hostages from the school. The exact number of people freed in this final group is not yet clear.
The freed victims are now on their way to the state capital, Minna. They will receive medical care and be reunited with their families there.
Neither the state nor federal government has made an official statement about the rescue. The development marks the end of a weeks-long ordeal for the school community.
