The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has officially handed over the remaining 130 students and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School to Niger State Governor Umar Bago.
The handover took place today Tuesday, December 23, at the Government House in Minna, after the release of the victims on Friday in the Agwara-Borgu forest.
The group represents the final batch of the 315 individuals, including 303 pupils and 12 teachers, who were seized by gunmen during a mass abduction. 50 pupils escaped shortly after the attack, while 100 students were freed on December 7.
The abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School was one of the largest mass kidnappings in Niger State’s history. The successful recovery of the final 130 victims was credited to an operation involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, acting under the orders from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The federal government has since designated the kidnappers involved as terrorists.
The NSA confirmed that all students and staff abducted during the November raid have now been accounted for;
All children and staff abducted from the school have been rescued. This is a significant milestone in our commitment to safeguarding our communities – Major General Adamu Lak, representing the NSA.
The rescued students and teachers are to undergo medical evaluations and psychological counseling before being reunited with their families for the Christmas holidays.
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