The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have been released.

The pupils were reportedly freed at a location between Agwara and Borgu local government areas of the state.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the release but said the precise number was yet to be verified.

“It is confirmed, but we are still working to ascertain the exact number of those released,” Abiodun said.

The Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, also confirmed the release of the remaining abducted schoolchildren.

He said Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, personally informed him of the development, noting that both the children and their teachers had regained their freedom.

According to the bishop, the exact number of those released was not disclosed to him.

However, he said the children were expected to arrive in Minna on Monday, where they would be formally received at the Government House by the state government.

A presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, also confirmed the release in a Facebook post.

He said, “The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted by terrorists at St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, on November 21, have now been released.

“They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents for the Christmas celebration.

“One hundred were released earlier by the terrorists, taking the total of freed students to 230. The freedom of the schoolchildren followed a military-intelligence-driven operation.”

The school was attacked on November 21 when armed men riding on motorcycles stormed the premises and abducted 315 persons, comprising 303 students and 12 teachers, in an operation that reportedly lasted several hours.

About 50 pupils managed to escape within the first 24 hours of the attack, leaving 265 abductees, including all 12 teachers, in captivity.

On December 7, the federal government secured the release of 100 students following sustained pressure on the abductors.