One of rescued pupils in Niger State, Florence Michael, has recounted that the abductors held them in a bush near a river.

She spoke on Monday after the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, officially handed over 100 schoolchildren, abducted on November 21 from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara LGA of Niger State, to the state government.

The NSA was represented at the handover by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong.

Narrating their ordeal, she said the captors provided a trampoline for them to lie on and warned them against making noise.

“They told us if we make noise, they would beat us and we would not go back home,” she said in an interview published by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Florence appealed to the government to continue protecting children to ensure their safety in schools.

While speaking at the occasion, Ribadu disclosed that the children were rescued through coordinated operations conducted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces, and other security agencies.

He stated that the federal government is implementing immediate short-term protective measures in high-risk areas while concurrently working with state governments, as well as traditional and religious leaders, to develop lasting, community-based security solutions.

Ribadu emphasized that insecurity would not be allowed to undermine the right of every child to education.

Receiving the children, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, described the rescue as a significant relief for both the parents and the state. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the necessary support that led to the rescue.

Governor Bago assured the public that the remaining children still in captivity would soon be rescued. He also extended his gratitude to the NSA, security agencies, development partners, and citizens who prayed throughout the ordeal.

The governor reassured parents and guardians that the rescued children would be reunited with their families following thorough medical checks. He added that the government is collaborating with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to ensure the pupils’ safe return to their homes.

Sources revealed that the children were dropped off at a location between Lumma and Wawa towns in Borgu LGA of Niger State around 7:00 pm on Sunday, where they were recovered by security operatives.

Daily Trust gathered that the children travelled a long distance from New Bussa, through the Mokwa-Bida-Minna Road, to the Government House in Minna, where they were received by the governor.

Rescue is a positive response to insecurity

Riley Moore, a member of the United States House of Representatives, has described the rescue of the 100 schoolchildren as a positive demonstration of President Tinubu’s response to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Moore, who is visiting Nigeria following months of debate between US and Nigerian officials over alleged persecution of Christians, made the remark in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday while reflecting on his meeting with NSA Nuhu Ribadu.

The visit serves as a follow-up to high-level security talks held between Ribadu and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington last month. Those talks coincided with a US Congress hearing on allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.

During the hearing, Jonathan Pratt, a senior official at the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, stated that the department would work with the Nigerian government on measures—including a task force—to address the allegations.

In his post on Monday, Moore confirmed that the joint task force has now been established. He called it a “great example” of a cooperative security framework, noting that the US’ sense of urgency was positively received.

“There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and myself) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country,” the lawmaker said.

“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children. This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu.”

Moore added that there is clear openness and willingness from the Nigerian government to work with the US. “Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action. There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction,” he added.

Tinubu charges security operatives on safe return of remaining students

Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the security agencies for their tireless efforts in securing the freedom of the 100 students.

While expressing joy over their return, the President charged security agencies to ensure the swift release of the remaining 115 students and their teachers who are still held hostage.

This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Onanuga stated that President Tinubu has assured parents that both the Federal and Niger State governments are working closely to reunite all abducted students with their families.

Part of the statement read: “I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State. I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21.

“My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely. We must account for all the victims.

“From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma.”

Background on the abduction

In his first update on the incident, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the proprietor of the school, stated that 215 students were initially abducted alongside 12 staff members.

However, in a subsequent statement issued two days after the incident, the Reverend confirmed that 50 pupils had escaped the following day and were reunited with their families.

Ahmed Ismail Dangiwa, a parent whose three children were kidnapped, told Daily Trust that the 50 students who escaped seized the opportunity to flee when one of the trucks transporting them broke down. (Daily Trust)

• Some of the rescued school children abducted at St. Mary Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, at the state Government House yesterday

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