Nigerian authorities have freed 130 students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in Niger State, bringing the total number of rescued children to 230, presidential spokesman Biya Onunuga said on Sunday.

The federal government described the release as a “moment of victory and relief” following the mass abduction on November 22, 2025, when more than 250 students and staff were taken. By the end of that month, around 100 hostages had already been released.

Authorities confirmed in a statement that the remaining 139 children and staff had been rescued, adding that “not a single student remains abducted.” Details on how the students were freed, including whether any ransom was paid, have not been disclosed.

It remains unclear how many people were initially taken in total and whether any other hostages remain unaccounted for.