Nigeria Secures Release of 100 Kidnapped Schoolchildren as Fears Grow for 165 Still Missing Amid Escalating Abduction Crisis

Nigeria has confirmed the release of 100 abducted schoolchildren taken from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State last month. The rescue offers brief relief, yet deep uncertainty remains over the fate of more than 160 students and staff still missing. The country now faces renewed scrutiny as kidnappings surge and global pressure intensifies.

The mass abduction happened in late November when gunmen stormed the school and seized 315 students and staff. Some escaped soon after, but most vanished into remote areas controlled by armed groups. The 100 rescued children were moved to Abuja and will be handed to Niger State officials. Authorities have not disclosed how the release occurred. Reports offer no clarity on negotiations, ransom payments, or military intervention. Even church leaders linked to the school say they were not formally informed. They want full transparency and immediate action for those still missing.

Local media confirm the release. Government officials celebrate the progress. Yet they admit the crisis remains severe. The kidnappers still hold many hostages. Their motives remain unclear. Analysts cannot confirm if bandits, jihadists, or rival armed networks carried out the attack. However, they agree the operation reflects Nigeria’s worsening security breakdown. The country battles extremist groups in the northeast and criminal gangs across the northwest. Kidnappings now function as a fast-growing business. A recent report shows the industry generated more than $1.6 million in one year. More victims are taken each month. Armed groups adapt quickly. They move across forests. They target schools, roads, farms, and worship centers.

The United States is now exerting fresh pressure on Nigeria. American officials criticize rising attacks on civilians, including Christians and Muslims. The comments have sparked debate. Some fear the rhetoric empowers armed groups. Others argue it exposes long-standing failures. Meanwhile, security experts track US surveillance flights over hostile regions. They warn that some groups may hold captives as shields in case of foreign intervention. Nigeria now stands at a crossroads. Families wait for news. Officials promise action. The country hopes the rescue of the 100 will mark a turning point, not another temporary relief.