All pupils taken from a Nigerian boarding school last month are now free, authorities confirmed, bringing a month-long kidnapping ordeal to a close just before Christmas.

The release of the final 130 children from St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in Papiri, Niger State, marks a moment of profound relief for families. It also casts a harsh light on the escalating security crisis in Africa's most populous nation—a challenge that resonates deeply with Kenyans familiar with the persistent threat of extremist violence.

Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare announced the news on X, stating, “Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity.” The children are expected to be brought to Minna, the state capital, to be reunited with their families.

A Calculated Reign of Terror

The harrowing incident began on November 21 when armed gunmen stormed the rural school, seizing a vast number of students and staff. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) reported that a total of 315 students and staff were initially kidnapped. While about 50 escaped shortly after the attack and another 100 were freed on December 7, the fate of the remaining children had been unknown until now.

This attack is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing pattern. Armed groups, often referred to as 'bandits', have increasingly targeted schools in Nigeria's north-west and central regions, turning kidnappings into a grim, structured industry. This wave of violence is reminiscent of the notorious 2014 Chibok kidnapping by Boko Haram jihadists that drew global condemnation.

For many in Kenya, this pattern of targeting schools—supposed safe havens for children—is a chilling reminder of the vulnerabilities that communities across the continent face. The fight against armed groups, whether in the Sahel or here in East Africa, requires a constant and evolving security strategy to protect the most vulnerable.

The Unanswered Questions

While the children's freedom is a significant victory, critical questions remain. The government has not publicly identified the kidnappers nor disclosed the precise terms of the release, though such operations often involve complex negotiations. Analysts suggest that ransom payments, though officially illegal in Nigeria, are a likely factor that continues to fuel the kidnapping-for-profit crisis.

The ordeal at St Mary's school has concluded, but for Nigeria, and indeed for Africa, the broader struggle for security is far from over. The path to recovery for these children will be long, and the incident serves as a stark warning of the urgent need to fortify schools and rural communities against such brutal attacks.