NSA Handover Reunites Final 130 St Mary’s Captives with Governor Bago

In a moment defined by both relief and somber reflection, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has officially returned the remaining 130 students and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School to the custody of the Niger State Government. The handover, which took place at the Government House in Minna, marks the conclusion of a harrowing ordeal that has gripped the nation and tested the resilience of the North-Central region.

This final group joins the initial 100 victims who were rescued and reunited with the state on December 8, 2025. The completion of this mission signifies one of the most successful large-scale recovery operations in recent memory, bringing an end to a period of agonizing uncertainty for the families involved.

Major General Adamu Garba Laka, the National Coordinator for the Center for Counter Terrorism, represented the NSA during the brief but emotional ceremony. He detailed the intricate coordination required to secure the release of the victims, attributing the success to a unified front.

According to Laka, the rescue was a direct result of a mandate issued by President Bola Tinubu. The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services, and the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army.

The General emphasized that the recovery of every single individual was a “landmark achievement” for the country’s security architecture. He noted that the precision of the operation reflected a growing sophistication in the way intelligence agencies and military boots on the ground work together.

During the proceedings, the NSA’s representative reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives. He stressed that the administration is no longer content with reactive measures but is moving toward a proactive defensive posture in high-risk zones.

Part of this strategy includes the implementation of short-term security measures that lean heavily on community engagement. By involving local leaders and traditional institutions, the government hopes to create a human shield of intelligence and vigilance to deter future incursions into educational spaces.

A significant highlight of the NSA’s message was the pledge to reopen schools that had previously been shuttered due to the threat of banditry. The government maintains that closing schools is a temporary fix that hands a moral victory to criminals, and the goal now is to restore the classroom as a safe haven for every child.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, receiving the survivors, was visibly moved by the sight of the children and their teachers. He expressed profound gratitude to the Presidency and the security chiefs for their persistence and for not leaving a single soul behind in the forest.

The Governor noted the visible physical and psychological toll the captivity had taken on the victims. He remarked that while the joy of their return is immense, the trauma they endured remains etched on their faces, serving as a reminder of the brutality of their captors.

Bago described the return of the entire group as an “unprecedented” event in Nigeria’s history of tackling mass abductions. In many previous cases, victims were released in small trickles or remained missing for years, but the St Mary’s case has seen a total recovery of the school community.

The Governor’s administration has already begun mobilizing medical and psychological support teams to assist the survivors. The immediate priority is to ensure that the children are stabilized before they are officially reunited with their waiting parents.

Security analysts have pointed to this operation as a potential turning point in the fight against school-targeted kidnappings. The speed and total success of the recovery suggest a shift in tactical advantage toward the state’s security apparatus.

As the 130 individuals were processed, the atmosphere in Minna remained one of cautious celebration. While the state celebrates their freedom, the focus now shifts to the long-term rehabilitation of the survivors and the permanent securing of the state’s borders.

The Federal Government’s promise to integrate community leaders into the safety framework is seen as a vital step. Local residents often have the best understanding of the terrain and can provide the early warning signals necessary to prevent these tragedies from occurring in the first place.

For the parents of St Mary’s Catholic School, the long wait is finally over. The return of their children represents more than just a victory for the government; it represents the restoration of hope in a community that has been living in the shadow of fear for weeks.

As the ceremony concluded, the victims were escorted to a facility for comprehensive health screenings. The state government has vowed to stand by them throughout their recovery process, ensuring that their education is not permanently derailed by the trauma of the past month.