100 abducted students rescued in Nigeria

A joint force of the Nigerian army and police has rescued 100 students who were abducted last month from a Christian Catholic boarding school in the country. They were freed on Sunday, December 7.

The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed the information, citing Reuters.

On November 21, 2025, armed attackers stormed St Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in Papiri village of Niger province in north-central Nigeria and abducted 227 students and 12 teachers.

The joint force launched operations that same day, and after 15 days of rescue efforts, 100 students were recovered. However, 127 students and teachers remain missing, and there has been no trace of them.

Officials from Nigeria’s central government declined to comment. Daniel Attori, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger, said, “We still know nothing about the remaining 127 students and 12 teachers. The government has not provided any information. We are praying for their safety and swift return.”

Nigeria has seen a sharp rise in militant activity and violence. Armed groups influenced by international extremist networks including al-Qaeda and Islamic State regularly attack Christian worship centres, businesses and educational institutions.

Earlier, in March 2024, more than 200 students were abducted from an educational institution in Kaduna province.