Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 100 schoolchildren who were kidnapped last month from a Catholic school by gunmen in Niger state, though the fate of the remaining 165 students and staff is unclear. The release was confirmed by a UN source and local media, with the children arriving in Abuja for transfer to local officials.

• A total of 315 students and staff were initially kidnapped from St. Mary's co-educational boarding school in late November.
• The freeing of the 100 children was confirmed by presidential spokesman Sunday Dare.
• Kidnappings for ransom have become a significant issue in Nigeria, with a recent report by SBM Intelligence estimating that $1.66 million was raised between July 2024 and June 2025.