NewsNigeria says 130 kidnapped Catholic schoolchildren freedThe country has seen a wave of recent mass abductions, as it suffers from multiple interlinked security concerns.

Nigerian authorities have confirmed the release of 130 schoolchildren who were abducted from a Catholic school in November. This follows the earlier release of 100 children earlier this month.

Initial reports indicated that 315 students and staff were unaccounted for after the attack on St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in north-central Niger State. Approximately 50 individuals managed to escape immediately after the incident.

On Dec 7, 2025, the government successfully secured the release of around 100 abductees. Subsequently, 130 more were freed, leaving no children believed to be in captivity.

The abduction took place amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including activities by armed groups in the northeast and "bandit" gangs in the northwest. The exact number of individuals taken during the incident remained unclear due to the dispersed nature of the children's homes, which are situated in remote areas requiring extensive travel to reach.

The recent mass abductions have highlighted the persistent security issues facing Nigeria, a country that has experienced similar incidents over the past decade. Kidnappings for ransom have become a prevalent method for armed groups and criminals to secure funds.

Details regarding the identity of the abductors or the methods used for securing the release of the children have not been publicly disclosed. Kidnappings remain a significant challenge in Nigeria, with recent incidents involving various groups, including schoolchildren, church worshippers, and others.

Efforts to address the kidnap-for-ransom crisis continue, with reports indicating that the issue has evolved into a structured, profit-driven industry. Between Jul 2024 and Jun 2025, this activity reportedly generated approximately $1.66 million.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.