All schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Niger State have been released, officials have confirmed.

The final batch of 115 students, who were taken from the school in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area, regained their freedom, bringing the total number of rescued children to about 265.

The development brings an end to a month-long ordeal that began on November 21, 2025, when armed gunmen attacked the boarding school in the early hours of the morning. During the attack, 303 students and 12 teachers were abducted in what was one of the largest mass kidnappings in recent Nigerian history.

Earlier, 50 students escaped shortly after the abduction, while another 100 were released on December 8 following sustained security operations.

The release of the remaining students has brought relief to families and the wider community and is being described as a significant success for the security agencies involved in the rescue efforts.