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| Africa Subsaharan |
| 100 Christian Nigerian Students Reportedly Freed After Mass Kidnapping |
| 2025-12-08 |
| [KhaamaPress] Local media say about 100 schoolchildren kidnapped in Niger state last month have been released, following weeks of uncertainty and no official confirmation. Likely a ransom was paid, though it’s not much talked about… Local media in Nigeria have reported that around 100 schoolchildren kidnapped last month in Niger state have been released, weeks after what was described as one of the country’s worst mass kidnappings.The Christian Association of Nigeria earlier said 303 students and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in the village of Paikoro were taken by gunnies on November 21. About 50 children managed to escape on the first day, but there had been no confirmed information on the remaining hostages since then. The jihadis kidnapped about half the total student body that day: boys for child soldiers, girls for wives to worthy turbans, and the excess of both to be sold on the world market. The courage it takes to be Christian in that part of the world… Officials said some of the kidnapped children were as young as six. The reported release has not yet been formally confirmed by state or federal authorities.Daniel Atori, spokesperson for the Christian Association, said: "We have not received any official notice. We hope the reports are true and continue to wait for updates on the remaining students." The attack has renewed concern over persistent insecurity in Nigeria, where gangs continue to target schools for ransom. The abduction has drawn comparisons to the Chibok school kidnappings nearly a decade ago, prompting calls for stronger protection of educational institutions and clearer communication from authorities. Sahara Reporters reports that the federal government arranged the release, but adds no further details, including no mention of who did the dirty deed. Around 100 schoolchildren who had been kidnapped from a Catholic school in Nigeria last month are handed over to state officials, a day after authorities secured their release.Update from the Times of Israel at 5:00 p.m. ET, which has a photo of some of the students: The children — many wearing football jerseys — were driven into the Niger State Government House in white buses escorted by a dozen military vans and armoured vehicles. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |