In Nigeria, 130 hostages abducted from Catholic school released

Parents of abducted children at the meeting on November 28, 2025. Photo: Associated Press

On December 22, 2025, Nigerian authorities announced the release of 130 students and teachers from St. Mary's Catholic school, who were abducted on November 21, reports the Associated Press.

Niger State police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said in a statement that “the remaining batch of the abducted students” has now been released. When asked about the 35 unaccounted for schoolchildren and missing teachers, Abiodun told The Associated Press: "Further details will be communicated."

As earlier reported, on November 21, 2025, an armed group kidnapped 303 students and 12 teachers from the private St. Mary's Catholic school. 50 students escaped shortly after the abduction, and another 100 hostages were released by the authorities in early December.

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