{"id":56499,"date":"2025-12-23T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omnesmag.com\/?p=56499"},"modified":"2025-12-23T00:45:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T22:45:20","slug":"nigeria-all-kidnapped-victims-return-home-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omnesmag.com\/en\/actualidad\/nigeria-todos-los-secuestrados-vuelven-a-casa-en-navidad\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria: the 130 missing kidnapped students released at Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u2013 Frederick Nzwili, Kontagora, Nigeria, OSV News<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is unclear who kidnapped the children from the Catholic school or whether a ransom was paid to secure their release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d the priest said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On December 14, the captors released<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there were still those who have now been released. \u201cIt 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.\u201d, informs<\/a> the official Vatican agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d said Mohammed Idris, Nigeria's Minister of Information and National Orientation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pope Leo XIV expressed his \u201cimmense sadness at the news of the kidnapping of priests and students in Nigeria and Cameroon\u201d during the Angelus on November 23, the Solemnity of Christ the King. And he made a appeal<\/a> urgent for the kidnapped hostages to be released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pontiff urged \u201cthe 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.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, various Church institutions have launched prayer campaigns for this intention. For example, ACN<\/a>, together with the Church in Nigeria, denounced the brutal escalation of violence, which is not only anti-Christian. Indeed, the Nigerian bishops stated that \u201cwe are deeply concerned because Muslims and many other innocent citizens have also been victims.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gradual release<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Federal government<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Appeal from the Pope <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trump denounced the situation.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n