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By Christopher Oji
Relief came to the people of Papari, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, as the remaining students and teachers that were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, were released from captivity, yesterday.
The freed students and teachers were transported to Minna, the Niger State capital, where they were expected to undergo medical checks and reunite with their families.
Daily Sun gathered that those who regained their freedom were the remaining victims taken during the November 21 attack on the school.
A Senior citizen from the community, who spoke to the Daily Sun on the condition of anonymity, said the number of the released persons could not be ascertained, but said he believed that all the remaining abductees had regained their freedom.
He said: “A security official told me that all the remaining victims, including the teachers, had been released. As it is, we are now rejoicing. We should have relief from the tension. We have not rested since November 21 when they were abducted.”
The victims were among students and teachers seized when armed assailants, riding on motorcycles, stormed the boarding school at about 2am.
The attackers reportedly operated for nearly three hours, moving systematically from one dormitory to another before marching their captives into the nearby forests.
About 50 students escaped during the raid, while scores of others were taken away. On December 8, security operatives secured the release of about 100 abductees, leaving an unspecified number in captivity until the latest breakthrough.
