• Riley Moore

United States Congressman Riley Moore, has lauded the rescue of 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren in Niger State, thanking the Nigerian government and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement posted on X on Monday after a meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (Nuhu Ribadu), Moore said :

“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children,” more said, emphasising, “This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu. ”

Moore, wrote that the discussions focused on terrorism in the North-East and the killings in the Middle Belt, describing the issues as a specific concern for President Donald Trump and himself.

Moore said that the delegation and Nigerian officials examined concrete steps and actions that he believes could improve security if carried out fully.

The congressman noted, “There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and me) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.”

The congressman said US concerns were “positively received” and pointed to what he described as a “now established joint task force between Nigeria and the US” as an example of cooperation. However, he added that “It is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the United States to tackle these critical issues.

“Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action.”

Image: WhatsApp

NIGER State Governor, Umar Bago on Monday, received 100 schoolchildren kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State last month.

They were handed over to the state government officials today, a day after military authorities secured their release.

The children – many wearing football jerseys and girls in long robes – were driven into the Niger State Government House in white buses escorted by a dozen military vans and armoured vehicles.

Welcome,” state governor Umar Bago said as he shook hands with some of the children and led them into a hall where the emir and local officials were seated to receive them.

According to a list of the released children seen by AFP, most of those freed are aged between 10 and 17 years.

The release of the students, who were kidnapped two weeks ago, was facilitated by the federal government last night.

The Federal Government has successfully secured the release of 100 primary and secondary school pupils who were abducted by armed bandits from the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools in Kunnu, Kagara area of Niger State on Thursday, 4 December 2025.

The children – comprising 68 primary school pupils and 32 junior secondary students – were freed in the early hours of Sunday following sustained military and security operations coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Niger State Government and local community leaders.

A senior presidency source confirmed to journalists in Abuja that no ransom was paid for the release of the victims, describing the operation as “a decisive victory for the ongoing campaign against terrorism and banditry in the North-West and North-Central zones.

”The source added: “Through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including intense pressure from ground troops of Operation Whirl Punch and intelligence-led engagements, the abductors were forced to release the children unharmed.

All 100 students have been accounted for and are currently undergoing medical checks and debriefing at a secure military facility in Minna.

”The students were kidnapped in a dawn raid on the mission school last Thursday when over 50 heavily armed gunmen stormed the premises, overpowered the guards, and herded the pupils into waiting vehicles before fleeing into the vast Kunnu forest spanning Niger and Kaduna states.

The incident had triggered widespread national outrage and renewed calls for decisive action against the escalating wave of school abductions in northern Nigeria.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who personally received the freed children alongside the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Salihu Tanko, praised the Federal Government and security forces for their swift response.“I am overjoyed to see our children back alive and in good health.

This is a testament that when all tiers of government and our traditional institutions work together with the security agencies, we can defeat these criminals,” Governor Bago said.

Parents and relatives who had camped at the school premises since Thursday broke into jubilation as the first batch of the rescued pupils arrived under heavy military escort on Sunday afternoon.

The Apostolic Faith Church, which runs the school, issued a brief statement thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the armed forces, and all Nigerians for their prayers and support.

Mop-up operations are still ongoing in the forest to apprehend the fleeing abductors and prevent further attacks during the festive season.

This latest mass rescue comes barely two weeks after 28 students of the Federal College of Agriculture, Bakura, Zamfara State, regained freedom, bringing the total number of schoolchildren freed by security forces in the past one month to over 220.

The Federal Government has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on ransom payments and vowed to sustain the current momentum until every abducted citizen is brought home safely.