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265 Abducted Niger Catholic Schoolchildren Regain Freedom

Published

7 months ago

December 22, 2025

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All 265 schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have regained their freedom, bringing an end to one of the most disturbing mass kidnappings of students in recent Nigerian history.

The final batch of 115 pupils was released on Sunday, weeks after armed men stormed the Catholic boarding school and whisked hundreds of children away in the early hours of November 21, 2025. The release completes a phased rescue process that began shortly after the abduction and has now reunited all affected students with their families.

The successful release followed sustained security operations involving multiple agencies, intelligence coordination, and prolonged negotiations aimed at securing the safe return of the children without further harm.

The kidnapping occurred when heavily armed attackers invaded the school compound in Papiri, a rural community near the Niger–Kebbi border. The assailants reportedly overpowered local security and school guards before moving swiftly through the dormitories.

During the attack:

303 students were initially abducted
12 teachers were also taken
The incident marked one of the largest school-related kidnappings recorded in Nigeria

In the immediate aftermath, confusion and panic spread across the community as parents struggled to confirm the safety of their children.

Shortly after the abduction, authorities confirmed that about 50 students managed to escape on their own while being transported by the kidnappers. The children reportedly fled into nearby bushes under cover of darkness and later found their way to safety.

Security operations intensified in the days that followed, leading to the release of approximately 100 students on December 8, 2025. Officials described that phase of the rescue as a breakthrough, noting that the freed pupils were in stable condition, though visibly traumatised.

The remaining 115 pupils were held in captivity until the final release, which has now brought closure to the crisis.

The release of the last group of abducted children on Sunday was confirmed by security sources and local authorities in Niger State. The pupils were received by government officials, security personnel, and medical teams before being handed over to their families.

Preliminary checks indicated that:

All released pupils were alive
No fatalities were recorded among the abducted children
Medical and psychological evaluations were initiated immediately

Officials described the outcome as a significant relief, particularly for families who had endured weeks of uncertainty and fear.

Security agencies involved in the operation described the rescue as the result of coordinated efforts across multiple fronts, including intelligence gathering, ground operations, and community engagement.

While details of the operation remain restricted for security reasons, officials confirmed that:

No military confrontation occurred during the final release
Efforts prioritised the safety of the children
Negotiations played a role alongside pressure from security forces

Authorities have maintained that investigations into the perpetrators are ongoing.

Scenes of emotional reunions played out in Papiri and surrounding communities as parents and guardians received their children after weeks of anguish.

Many families had camped near government offices, churches, and security formations, holding vigils and prayer sessions throughout the period of captivity. Community leaders described the final release as a moment of collective relief and gratitude.

Local residents noted that the incident had deeply affected schooling, livelihoods, and social life in the area, with many families temporarily relocating during the crisis.

The Catholic Church, which owns and manages St Mary’s Catholic School, welcomed the release of all abducted pupils and expressed gratitude to security agencies, community leaders, and all parties involved in securing their freedom.

Church officials reiterated calls for:

Improved security around faith-based and boarding schools
Greater protection for children in vulnerable communities
Stronger collaboration between government and local institutions

The church also emphasised the need for trauma counselling and long-term support for the affected students.

The Niger State Government acknowledged the release and described it as a major security success, while reiterating its commitment to protecting schools across the state.

Government officials stated that measures are being reviewed to prevent a recurrence, including:

Enhanced security surveillance around schools
Community policing initiatives
Intelligence-sharing with neighbouring states

The federal government has also been briefed on the development, given the scale of the abduction and its national implications.

The Niger State incident adds to a long list of school-related kidnappings that have plagued parts of northern and central Nigeria over the past decade.

Security analysts note that:

Schools in rural areas remain high-risk targets
Boarding institutions are particularly vulnerable
Criminal groups increasingly view mass abductions as leverage for negotiations

Although recent efforts have reduced the frequency of such attacks in some regions, the Papiri abduction underscored ongoing gaps in school security.

Following the release, civil society groups renewed calls for:

Stronger enforcement of the Safe Schools Initiative
Dedicated security funding for educational institutions
Early-warning systems in high-risk communities

Education advocates stressed that repeated school kidnappings continue to undermine access to education and contribute to school dropouts, especially among girls and children from low-income families.

Medical teams have begun assessing the physical and mental wellbeing of the freed children. Officials confirmed that arrangements are being made for:

Trauma counselling
Medical follow-up
Gradual reintegration into school life

Education authorities indicated that academic adjustments may be introduced to help the pupils recover lost learning time.

Security agencies have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend those responsible for the abduction. Officials said intelligence from the rescue operation could aid future counter-kidnapping strategies.

For now, attention remains focused on the recovery of the children and the restoration of normalcy in Papiri and neighbouring communities.

The release of all 265 abducted Niger Catholic schoolchildren marks a significant moment of relief, but it also renews national debate on school safety, rural security, and the protection of children in conflict-prone areas.

News

Sterling Financial Bucks Banking Slump, Emerges Among NGX’s Top Gainers

Published

2 hours ago

August 2, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc defied the broader downturn in the banking sector on Thursday, with its shares rising 6.67 per cent to close at ₦8.00, placing the company among the top-performing stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

The impressive performance came on a day when the NGX Banking Index fell by 2.04 per cent and the broader equities market extended its losing streak for a second consecutive trading session.

The company’s shares finished third on the day’s gainers’ chart, contrasting sharply with the wider market, where investors continued to take profits following July’s rally.

Market data showed that the NGX All-Share Index declined by 0.7 per cent, while losers outnumbered gainers by more than two to one. Over the two trading sessions, approximately ₦1.65 trillion was wiped off the total value of listed equities.

Despite the market pressure, Sterling Financial attracted sustained investor interest, with 36.01 million shares valued at about ₦286.8 million exchanged during the day’s trading.

The strong market performance followed the Group’s recently released half-year financial results, which showed a 20.4 per cent increase in profit after tax to ₦50.3 billion, alongside continued growth in customer deposits and total assets approaching the ₦5 trillion mark.

The Group also strengthened its capital position during the period through a successful ₦96.6 billion public offer, which increased shareholders’ funds by 27.8 per cent to ₦547.7 billion, providing additional capacity to support lending and business expansion.

Sterling Financial’s financial performance was further underpinned by improved earnings from its core operations. Net interest income rose by 41 per cent to ₦137.4 billion, while return on average equity stood at 20.6 per cent. Return on average assets also improved to 2.35 per cent from 2.05 per cent recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Industry analysts attributed the stock’s resilience to the company’s strong earnings performance, strengthened capital base and diversified business model, which have continued to bolster investor confidence despite prevailing market volatility.

Sterling Financial operates as a diversified financial services holding company with interests spanning commercial banking through Sterling Bank, non-interest banking under The Alternative Bank, and wealth management services through SterlingFI.

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Access Bank Dismisses Fake Shutdown Report

Published

2 hours ago

August 2, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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…warn against spreading false information

By Gloria Ikibah

Access Bank Plc has dismissed as false and misleading a viral message circulating on social media and WhatsApp claiming that the bank has shut down operations, assuring customers and stakeholders that it remains financially strong and fully operational.

In a disclaimer issued on Friday, the bank said the message, which falsely impersonates its official communication channels, was deliberately designed to mislead the public and create unnecessary panic.

The bank reassured customers that all its branches and subsidiaries remain open for business, with banking services continuing without disruption.

“A message impersonating Access Bank’s official handle is currently circulating on social media and WhatsApp. It is false and misleading.

“We wish to reassure our customers, partners, stakeholders, and the public that Access Bank is safe, financially strong, and fully operational across all our subsidiaries. Our services continue to run seamlessly, and we remain committed to serving our customers with the highest standards of excellence”, the statement read.

The management said it had commenced efforts with security and regulatory agencies to trace those behind the false publication, warning that those responsible would face legal consequences.

“We are working closely with the relevant regulatory and law enforcement authorities to identify those responsible for creating and spreading this false information to cause panic and business disruption. Appropriate legal action will be taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations”, it stated.

Access Bank also reminded the public that the deliberate creation and dissemination of false information capable of causing public alarm or undermining confidence in institutions is a criminal offence under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.

“We also remind members of the public that creating, publishing, and disseminating false information capable of causing public alarm, damaging reputations, or undermining confidence in institutions constitutes an offence under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024”, it added.

The bank urged customers and the general public to disregard the viral message and avoid forwarding unverified information, advising them to rely only on updates issued through its official and verified communication channels.

The management expressed appreciation to customers, partners and other stakeholders for their continued confidence in the institution.

“If you receive a false and misleading message, please do not share or forward it. Instead, disregard it and rely only on information communicated through Access Bank’s official and verified channels.

“We thank our customers, partners, and stakeholders for their continued trust and confidence in Access Bank”, the statement further read.

News

Sterling Financial Posts 20% Profit Growth, Assets Approach N5tn in Half-Year Results

Published

2 hours ago

August 2, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has reported a strong financial performance for the first half of 2026, posting a 20.4 per cent increase in profit after tax as the Group’s total assets climbed close to the N5 trillion mark.

The unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026, released on Thursday, showed broad-based growth across major financial indicators, driven by higher interest income, an expanding loan portfolio and sustained growth in customer deposits.

The Group recorded gross earnings of N279.6 billion, representing a 31.5 per cent increase over the corresponding period in 2025. Interest income rose by 33.7 per cent to N223.6 billion, while net interest income increased by 41 per cent to N137.4 billion.

Non-interest income also grew by 23.3 per cent to ₦56 billion, supported by stronger fee income and improved earnings from other operating activities.

Sterling Financial’s balance sheet also recorded significant growth during the period, with total assets rising by 19.3 per cent to N4.67 trillion, while customer deposits expanded by 21.1 per cent to N3.62 trillion, reflecting continued confidence in the Group’s banking operations.

Profit before tax increased by 21.9 per cent to N55.5 billion, while profit after tax rose by 20.4 per cent to N50.3 billion.

The Group also improved its profitability ratios, with return on average equity standing at 20.6 per cent, while return on average assets improved from 2.05 per cent to 2.35 per cent.

Shareholders’ funds grew by 27.8 per cent to N547.7 billion, largely driven by the successful N96.6 billion public offer through which the company raised capital from the issuance of 13.8 billion ordinary shares.

The company also disclosed that its share price had appreciated by more than 15 per cent since the beginning of the year, reflecting stronger investor confidence ahead of the release of its half-year results. Basic earnings per share stood at 77 kobo, reflecting the enlarged share capital following the public offer.

Sterling Financial attributed the performance to ongoing investments in technology and operational efficiency across its subsidiaries, including Sterling Bank, AltBank and SterlingFI.

According to the Group, the modernisation of its technology infrastructure and operating model has improved service delivery, enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened its capacity to support increasing customer activity while maintaining prudent risk management.

The company expressed confidence that its strengthened capital base, expanding deposit base and diversified earnings would position it for stronger growth in the second half of the year.

It noted that the additional capital would continue to support lending to productive sectors of the economy while enabling the Group to sustain long-term value creation for shareholders.