Gov Bago receives 100 freed schoolchildren kidnapped in Niger attack

The Niger State Government has officially received the 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

Governor Mohammed Bago welcomed the pupils on Monday at the Government House in Minna, just a day after officials confirmed their safe release.

“Welcome,” Bago said as he shook hands with some of the children and led them into a hall where the emir and local officials were seated to receive them.

The children were among the victims abducted when gunmen invaded the remote Papiri community on November 21.

The attackers reportedly stormed the school around 2 am on motorbikes and operated for nearly three hours.

A total of 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were abducted during the invasion.