– Frederick Nzwili, Kontagora, Nigeria, OSV News
Church authorities have confirmed that the 130 students who remained to be released from the kidnapping of more than 300 students from the diocesan school in Niger State (Nigeria) were freed on December 21. This brings an end to a month-long ordeal. The news was announced yesterday.
“We thank God for the release of the children and staff kidnapped from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri. Thank you for your prayers, support, and efforts. May God grant lasting peace and security to our country and the whole world,” said the sisters in Nigeria in a Facebook post. The school is owned by the Diocese of Kontagora and run by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles.
It is unclear who kidnapped the children from the Catholic school or whether a ransom was paid to secure their release.
Release confirmed
Two days ago, on December 21, Father Jatau Luka Joseph, secretary of the diocese, confirmed the release. At the same time, he thanked all those who contributed to the safe return of the victims, including the Nigerian government, the Niger state government, and the security services.
“We also extend our sincere gratitude to parents, guardians, clergy, religious communities, humanitarian organizations, and the general public for their prayers, support, and solidarity during this difficult period,” the priest said in a statement.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora remains committed to the protection, welfare, and safety of all pupils, students, and staff, and will continue to collaborate with all relevant authorities to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
The Nigerian federal government celebrated the release of the children and said it was a fitting end to the year and that no students remained in captivity.
Gradual release
On December 14, the captors released to the first large group (100) of students, including 14 high school students, one staff member, 80 elementary school students, and five kindergarteners. At least 50 of the children had escaped from their captors in November, shortly after the kidnapping.
However, there were still those who have now been released. “It is not known for certain whether there are any missing persons: the police claim that all those kidnapped are free, including the staff, while investigations continue.”, informs the official Vatican agency.
Federal government
“The federal government stands in solidarity with the parents and guardians of the students for the agony caused by the kidnapping, and wishes them a happy family reunion, a good healing process, happy holidays, and a Merry Christmas,” said Mohammed Idris, Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Appeal from the Pope
Pope Leo XIV expressed his “immense sadness at the news of the kidnapping of priests and students in Nigeria and Cameroon” during the Angelus on November 23, the Solemnity of Christ the King. And he made a appeal urgent for the kidnapped hostages to be released.
The Pontiff urged “the competent authorities to take the necessary measures to achieve this. Let us pray for these brothers and sisters of ours, and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope.”.
Since then, various Church institutions have launched prayer campaigns for this intention. For example, ACN, together with the Church in Nigeria, denounced the brutal escalation of violence, which is not only anti-Christian. Indeed, the Nigerian bishops stated that “we are deeply concerned because Muslims and many other innocent citizens have also been victims.”.
Trump denounced the situation.
On the other hand, in early November, US President Donald Trump, had reported the situation of Christians in Nigeria, and threatened the country with suspending US aid, and even military intervention, if the Nigerian government did not act quickly to stop the attacks on Christian communities.
Bishop: “the best gift”
In his Christmas message on December 20, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora, who is also president of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, said that this year's Christmas served as a poignant reminder of shared hope.
“Like the 2025 theme, ‘The Greatest Gifts from Heaven,’ the best gift the Church can hope for this year is to welcome back our children and teachers who are still in captivity before Christmas Day,” Bishop Yohanna had said.
“In these difficult times, when most parents can no longer sleep or eat, let us extend our love through our prayers, because more than four weeks have passed since the incident occurred,” he added just two days before all the children were released.
Diocese territory, epicenter of violence
His diocese is part of the ecclesiastical province of Kaduna, a region that has recently become the epicenter of ethnic, religious, and political violence. In the state of the same name, gangs kidnap and murder for ransom, rivaling the state of Borno, the birthplace of the infamous terrorist group Boko Haram.
November saw a wave of kidnappings in the African country, with more than 400 people abducted in just 15 days. At the end of the month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a national state of emergency and ordered the immediate recruitment of new forces to combat the armed groups.
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– Fredrick Nzwili writes for OSV News from Nairobi, Kenya.
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