…as Gov.Abiodun hails Tinubu. Calls for nationwide support

There was palpable relife on Sunday following the confirmation that the remaining 130 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have regained their freedom.

Officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the development to newsmen on Sunday.

The officials moted that the release of all the victims was achieved through sustained security pressure and coordinated efforts by relevant agencies. They did not, however, disclose details of the operation.

The release marks the end of a harrowing ordeal for the students, who were kidnapped by armed bandits on November 21, 2025.

This final batch of release comes weeks after an initial group of 100 students was rescued and reunited with their families, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 230.

The pupils were abducted after gunmen attacked the boarding school, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of educational institutions across the country.

Reacting to the development, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his decisive leadership and the successful execution of the rescue operation.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, Governor Abiodun described the safe return of the schoolchildren as a monumental victory for the nation and a clear indication that “evil forces will not triumph over the collective will of the Nigerian people.”

The Governor specifically commended President Tinubu for sticking to his pledge to ensure the freedom of all abducted students without paying ransom or succumbing to the demands of terrorists.

“I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, who were hitherto in captivity, have been released. “This feat is a testament to the President’s unwavering resolve and the improved coordination among our security agencies,” Abiodun stated.

Abiodun noted that the President’s security strategy is yielding tangible results, restoring the confidence of the citizenry in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.

He emphasized that the administration’s refusal to compromise with criminals has sent a strong signal that the era of treating bandits with kid gloves is over.

“If this incident shows anything, it is the fact that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to a safe, secure, and prosperous Nigeria. It deserves our collective prayers and moral support,” the Governor added.

Calling for nationwide solidarity, Governor Abiodun urged Nigerians to see security as a collective responsibility.

He appealed to communities to continue providing actionable intelligence to security agencies, noting that the war against insurgency can only be fully won when the government and the governed work in lockstep.

“The President is determined to tackle the upsurge of kidnapping and bring sanity back to our society. I call on all Nigerians to rally round this administration as it charts a new path for peace and stability,” Abiodun concluded.

The released students are currently undergoing medical checks and profiling before being formally reunited with their waiting families in Minna.