“We Were Threatened with Guns If We Made Noise”: Freed Niger Schoolchildren Recount Ordeal

Freed pupils of St Mary Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have shared harrowing accounts of their abduction, revealing the fear and deprivation they endured while in captivity. The 100 rescued students were released on Sunday evening in a coordinated operation by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), working alongside the military and the Department of State Services (DSS). About 50 students had previously escaped, out of more than 300 kidnapped from the school.

Describing her experience, Florence Michael, one of the pupils, said, “We were taken down into the forest and bushes before they camped us near a river, and we were made to sleep on a trampoline. They said if we made noise, we would be beaten and killed; they said if we were not calm, we would not go back home.”

Another student, Emmanuel, added, “We were threatened with guns not to cry or wail; they were with big guns, and we were in fear throughout.”

Parents expressed relief at being reunited with their children, though many admitted the ordeal left lasting anxiety. Elizabeth Samuel, mother of one of the rescued children, said, “We thank all those who helped us with their rescue. We thank those who stood for us and prayed for us. But just thinking of our children with gun-wielding men was terrifying.”

Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, representing National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, said the rescue was the result of continuous coordination among the NSA’s office, the military, and the DSS. “Since the abduction, all security agencies have been working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the children,” he said, adding that protective measures will be strengthened in high-risk areas.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State welcomed the children back, expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for their swift actions. “We are delighted to have the 100 children safely back, and we remain committed to ensuring the remaining pupils and staff still in captivity are rescued,” Bago said, urging sustained prayers for their safety.

The rescue has also drawn international attention. Visiting US Congressman Riley Moore hailed the operation as a positive demonstration of Nigeria’s response to security challenges. “This shows that terrorism in Nigeria can be defeated if the resolutions reached in recent high-level security talks are fully implemented,” Moore said following a closed-door meeting with Nuhu Ribadu.

President Bola Tinubu commended the security agencies for their efforts and directed them to ensure the remaining 115 abducted students and staff are brought home safely. In a statement, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga quoted Tinubu saying, “Our security forces must account for all victims and ensure schools are safe for our children. From now on, our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma.”