The remaining 130 schoolchildren and teachers abducted from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, have been freed, bringing relief to families and the community ahead of Christmas. The abductees, who arrived in six buses, were welcomed back by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and other senior government officials at a ceremony in Minna ¹ ².

The rescue operation was a result of a presidential directive led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and coordinated efforts by the National Security Adviser, Department of State Services, Armed Forces, Nigerian Police, and international partners. The governor thanked God for their safe return, noting the trauma they endured in captivity was "scary and heartbreaking" ².

The freed students and teachers had been held captive for almost a month after gunmen abducted 303 students and 12 teachers on November 21. Fifty students escaped initially, and 100 were released earlier this month. The latest release brings the total number of rescued students to 230 ¹ ³.

*Topics:*
- Papiri School Kidnapping
- Niger State Abduction
- Schoolchildren Rescue
- Nigeria Security