- The Presidential Palace has confirmed that the remaining 130 schoolchildren kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, have been rescued.
- The students were rescued in a military and intelligence-led operation, bringing the total number of students rescued to 230, and will be reunited with their families in Minna before Christmas.
The President of Nigeria announced that the remaining 130 schoolchildren kidnapped by bandits from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, have been successfully rescued. The students were released on Sunday, December 21, following an operation led by Strategic Military Intelligence.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, confirmed the development through a statement via X. He noted that this last group of students brought the total number of freed students to 230, after the terrorists earlier released another 100 students.
According to Onanuga:
“The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted by terrorists from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State on November 21 have been released. They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday to celebrate Christmas with their parents.”
The students are expected to arrive in Minna today (Monday, December 22) in time to reunite with their families for the holidays. The rescue marks the end of a month-long ordeal for the Papiri community since a mass kidnapping in late November.
In other news,… Nigerian music executive Paul Okoye popularly known as Paul O has celebrated the 48th birthday of his partner, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo with heartfelt admiration.
According to Naija News, Paul O shared a post on Instagram on Sunday, highlighting Iyabo Ojo’s achievements in 2025, which included weddings, the joy of children and grandchildren, graduation ceremonies, movie premieres, red carpet appearances and awards.
He also acknowledged the challenges she faced during the year, citing difficult moments, unexpected trials and instances of people trying to use her name and reputation for personal gain.
Paul O wrote in his post:
“Happy birthday! @iyaboojofespris My Ezenwanyi! Today we celebrate you, our Queen Mother, your life, your strength, your beauty, and everything that makes you who you are.
2025 is a long journey. It’s filled with moments that remind us how wonderful life can be, weddings, children, grandchildren, graduations, movie premieres, red carpets, awards, and of course, love. But life also brings challenges, hard times, battles and unexpected trials, as well as people trying to use your name to make headlines or bring you down.
Through it all, you smile. Even when things aren’t easy, you handle everything with grace and rise to the occasion. Your kindness and support touch everyone around you and make us all lucky to know you.
You are, without a doubt, the strongest, most compassionate woman I know. Today we not only celebrate your birthday, but the incredible person you are! “
