Remaining 130 Abducted Niger State Students Released, Governor Abiodun Hails Federal Effort
ABEOKUTA — Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has hailed the release of the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, bringing an end to their captivity.
The governor, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the development as a triumph over the “forces of darkness” and a fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to secure the students’ freedom unharmed.
This latest release follows the earlier rescue of 100 students from the same school earlier this month, bringing the total number of freed pupils to 230.
Governor Abiodun, who also chairs the Southern Governors’ Forum, linked the successful rescue to security measures rolled out by the Tinubu administration. He cited other recent cases, including the release of 24 abducted persons in Kebbi State and Christian worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, as evidence of the government’s capacity to tackle security challenges.
“I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students… have been released,” Abiodun stated. “The students, their parents, Papiri community and the Government of Niger State have all been through a lot.”
He extended his congratulations to all affected parties, noting the timing allows the families to celebrate the Yuletide together after their ordeal.
The governor also called for the perpetrators to be prosecuted. “The security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I also urge them to ensure that the terrorists behind the attacks… are hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law,” he said.
Abiodun concluded by urging Nigerians to support President Tinubu, asserting that the administration is “determined to tackle the upsurge of kidnapping and terrorist attacks” to restore national confidence and enable development.
