Nigeria's Kidnapping Crisis Takes a Bittersweet Turn as 100 Schoolchildren Freed
In a surprise development, Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren taken from St Mary's co-educational boarding school in north-central Niger state last month. The remaining 165 students and staff are still believed to be in captivity, leaving many questions unanswered about their fate.
The news comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with a wave of mass abductions reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Boko Haram abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok. Approximately 50 of the abducted children escaped shortly after being taken, leaving 265 thought to be held by the kidnappers.
According to a United Nations source, the 100 released children are set to be handed over to local government officials in Niger state on Monday. However, the details surrounding their release remain unclear, with neither the government nor local authorities providing information on whether the children were freed through negotiation or military force.
The news has been met with relief and gratitude from family members of the abducted students, who have been praying for their return. "We have been praying and waiting for their return, if it is true then it is cheering news," said Daniel Atori, spokesperson for Bishop Bulus Yohanna of the Kontagora diocese which runs the school.
However, the release of 100 children has also raised questions about the fate of the remaining students and staff. "We are not officially aware and have not been duly notified by the federal government," added Atori.
The kidnap-for-ransom crisis in Nigeria has long been a concern, with armed groups linked to separatist movements and jihadist insurgencies targeting civilians for ransom. According to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, the industry has raised approximately $1.66m (£1.24m) between July 2024 and June 2025.
As Nigeria continues to navigate this complex crisis, the release of 100 schoolchildren brings some much-needed hope, but also underscores the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of these abductions and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
In a surprise development, Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren taken from St Mary's co-educational boarding school in north-central Niger state last month. The remaining 165 students and staff are still believed to be in captivity, leaving many questions unanswered about their fate.
The news comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with a wave of mass abductions reminiscent of the infamous 2014 Boko Haram abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok. Approximately 50 of the abducted children escaped shortly after being taken, leaving 265 thought to be held by the kidnappers.
According to a United Nations source, the 100 released children are set to be handed over to local government officials in Niger state on Monday. However, the details surrounding their release remain unclear, with neither the government nor local authorities providing information on whether the children were freed through negotiation or military force.
The news has been met with relief and gratitude from family members of the abducted students, who have been praying for their return. "We have been praying and waiting for their return, if it is true then it is cheering news," said Daniel Atori, spokesperson for Bishop Bulus Yohanna of the Kontagora diocese which runs the school.
However, the release of 100 children has also raised questions about the fate of the remaining students and staff. "We are not officially aware and have not been duly notified by the federal government," added Atori.
The kidnap-for-ransom crisis in Nigeria has long been a concern, with armed groups linked to separatist movements and jihadist insurgencies targeting civilians for ransom. According to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, the industry has raised approximately $1.66m (£1.24m) between July 2024 and June 2025.
As Nigeria continues to navigate this complex crisis, the release of 100 schoolchildren brings some much-needed hope, but also underscores the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of these abductions and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
finally some good news about those kids 
they're coming home! but what's going on with the other 165? still being held captive, still being paid ransom... it's like they're just pawns in a game 
Nigeria needs to get its act together and figure out how to stop this madness 
It's a bittersweet news because we're happy the kids are safe, but it feels kinda... unfair that some of them had to go through this in the first place 
. The numbers are crazy - like, over $1.6m raised by armed groups between July 2024 and June 2025... that's just insane! 
. My heart goes out to the remaining 165 students & staff who are still trapped, I just hope they get rescued soon too 
. It's crazy how this kidnapping crisis is affecting so many innocent lives 
. The UN says they were released through negotiation or military force, but we don't know all the deets 
. We need to keep supporting these families & making sure everyone is safe & sound 
.
My heart was literally breaking thinking about them being held captive. It's amazing that their families have been holding on to hope, and now they can finally start healing too. I just wish we knew how the other 165 students were doing... my mind is still all over the place trying to think of the what-ifs 
it's like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders, i'm sure they're super relieved but also wondering what happened to the other 165 students still held captive... that kidnap-for-ransom industry is such a messed up thing 
100 kids are finally free!! i can only imagine how scared and worried their families must've been holding on to hope like Daniel Atori said 
what's even more puzzling is the 165 remaining students tho - hopefully they get freed soon too 
.
. It's time for us to come together as a country and support our children, schools, and communities who are under attack 
. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to ensure that Nigeria becomes a safer, more secure place 
just got the news about those 100 Nigerian schoolkids being freed from their captors its a huge relief for the families who've been worried sick for so long my heart goes out to them they must be overjoyed if true tho i mean what happened to the other 165 still in captivity though? thats where things get really murky for me anyway glad theres some good news for once! 
but at the same time, 165 people are still MIA 
. I mean, what even is the plan here? Negotiation or military force? Can't they just give us a straight answer for once? 
. I can only imagine how scared and worried their families must be feeling, and this news will bring so much joy to them 
. The government should definitely get some serious kudos for making this happen, whatever the circumstances were 
. Fingers crossed that more kids will be freed soon!