Nigeria Secures Release of Abducted Schoolchildren After Weeks in Captivity
In a major relief development for families of the victims, Nigerian authorities have successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were abducted from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, over three weeks ago. According to local media outlets, including Channels Television, the children were released on Sunday.
The kidnapping occurred on November 21, when as many as 303 students and teachers were taken by unknown assailants. However, it is now reported that at least 50 of the students managed to escape on their own, walking for miles until they found something familiar. The remaining 253 students and 12 teachers are still being held captive.
US President Donald Trump's administration had earlier threatened to cut off aid to Nigeria if the government failed to stop violence against Christians. In November, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Nigerian national security advisor Nuhu Ribadu to discuss this issue. At the time, Trump called on Nigerians to "stop killing Christians" and emphasized that the US would not tolerate such acts.
Following weeks of intense negotiations, the Nigerian government has managed to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren. However, it is unclear how many of the remaining captives will be released or held back.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for action against Christian persecution in Nigeria, a country where Christians continue to face growing threats from extremist groups. The US State Department had earlier declared Nigeria a "country of particular concern" due to the rising number of attacks on Christians and other minority groups.
As news of the release spreads, families of the victims are breathing a sigh of relief, while also demanding answers about what led to their children's abduction in the first place.
In a major relief development for families of the victims, Nigerian authorities have successfully secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were abducted from St. Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger state, over three weeks ago. According to local media outlets, including Channels Television, the children were released on Sunday.
The kidnapping occurred on November 21, when as many as 303 students and teachers were taken by unknown assailants. However, it is now reported that at least 50 of the students managed to escape on their own, walking for miles until they found something familiar. The remaining 253 students and 12 teachers are still being held captive.
US President Donald Trump's administration had earlier threatened to cut off aid to Nigeria if the government failed to stop violence against Christians. In November, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Nigerian national security advisor Nuhu Ribadu to discuss this issue. At the time, Trump called on Nigerians to "stop killing Christians" and emphasized that the US would not tolerate such acts.
Following weeks of intense negotiations, the Nigerian government has managed to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren. However, it is unclear how many of the remaining captives will be released or held back.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for action against Christian persecution in Nigeria, a country where Christians continue to face growing threats from extremist groups. The US State Department had earlier declared Nigeria a "country of particular concern" due to the rising number of attacks on Christians and other minority groups.
As news of the release spreads, families of the victims are breathing a sigh of relief, while also demanding answers about what led to their children's abduction in the first place.