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- Vows to review age limit for children to be admitted into boarding schools
- Says there were errors in figures released by school management of abducted students
From John Adams, Minna
The Niger state Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago has vowed that the state government will review the age limit for children to be admitted into boarding schools in the state, saying that it is irresponsible for any parents to take his or her child of less than five years to a boarding school.
The Governor stated this in Minna on Monday when he received the remaining 130 abducted children and teachers of the St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwara local government area of the state at the government house.
The Governor maintained that some parents don’t want to take responsibility of their children, stressing that “these are things that the government look into in very near future.”
He however blamed the school management and the Catholic Church for the discrepancies in the actual figures of children that were abducted on November 21st when the terrorists invaded the school.
The Governor disclosed that from the available information from the office of the National Security Adviser, the actual number of the abducted students were 230, adding that “the issue of figures will be addressed by the school authority and the Catholic Church.”
Recalled that the both the management of school and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger state chapter said earlier that 315 students from both the primary and the secondary section, including 12 Teachers were abducted.
However, while 50 were said to have escape on the night of the abduction, the management insisted that 265 were still being held by the terrorists.
But two weeks ago, 100 of the students were released by their abductors while on Monday another 130 were handed over to the state government, bringing the total number of children to 230.
“The information that is available to the Office of the NSA, to the Department of State Service, is that there were 230 that were actually abducted. You know, all in all, with the teachers and everything. “The important thing now is that we have been able to get them back. I don’t want us to go back, let us forget about the numbers. I’m sure the church and the school understand exactly where there were errors. Initially, because of panic, every other issue can be responsible”, he explained.
The Governor also dismissed the insinuation that ransom running into billions of naira was paid as ransom to the terrorists for the release of the children, saying that “whether money was paid or not, the most important thing is that the children are back, the next line of action will be left to the government”.
He maintained that the release of the children will enable their parents celebrate the Christmas with joy and happiness, adding that “We are hopeful that we will reunite these children back with their families by the grace of God immediately so that they can do the Christmas together.”
The Governor described the physical appearance of the children who have spent one month in captivity as very touching and pathetic.
“But seeing the size of the children is really, really touching. Two years old and in captivity, you know, it is very, very touching. Let me thank God for the mercy he has shown us, because if you look at these children and imagine the trauma they went through, it is unbearable.
“From the last time they brought the first 100, I told you they were very small, but looking at these children now, their condition is scary. However, we are grateful to God because at least we’ve gotten these children back”, he submitted.
He therefore thanked the President, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Service, the Nigerian Army and everybody for their support in ensuring that the children were rescued safely and unhurt, insisting that saying this would not have been possible without everybody’s hands on deck.
The Governor said that the rescue of the children is one that is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria as it is rarely possible that a large number of people were abducted and rescued unhurt, “it has never happened like this in Nigeria, for you to get everybody back unhurt”.
The representative of the National Security Adviser (NSA) who is the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Center, Adamu Garba Laka said that the rescue was due to the sustained efforts of the Department of State Services and the General Officer Commanding two Division, the Nigerian Army, with the guidance of the Chief of Army Staff who played a significant role in ensuring the success of this operation.
“It is with profound humility and deep sense of duty that I am here on behalf of the National Security Advisor to formally announce the rescue and formally handover the remaining 130 victims, both teachers and students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Aguara Local Government Area, who were abducted on the 21st of November 2025.
“This rescue was a result of the directive of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and intense and coordinated operations by the National Security Advisor in conjunction with the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Police, other security agencies and international partners, which has yielded another landmark achievement of rescuing the victims unhurt.”
He then reaffirm the commitment of the Office of the National Security Advisor on the security of every Nigerian adding that they will continue to lead and coordinate measures to protect communities and institutions across the country.
“We are implementing immediate short-term protective measures in high-risk areas while concurrently working with state governments, traditional and religious leaders to develop lasting community-based security solutions. For education, it must not be a casualty to violence. We will continue to pursue policies and operations to restore confidence, reopen schools safely and ensure that the right of every Nigerian child to learn in safety is upheld.”
The children arrived into the Niger state Government at exactly 3.35pm amid tight security in six white Toyota Hixas buses.
They were received by the Governor before being ushered into the hall for the formal handover ceremony.
