Early Nov 2025 – Armed gangs abduct 25 girls from a school in Maga, Kebbi State, marking a surge in mass kidnappings across northern Nigeria and foreshadowing larger attacks later in the month[4].

Nov 21, 2025 – Gunmen storm St Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri, Niger State, seizing 303 pupils and 12 teachers; 50 students escape within hours while the rest are taken on motorbikes and buses, igniting national and international condemnation[8][6].

Nov 23, 2025 – Two days after the Papiri raid, Islamic State‑linked militants kidnap 12 teenage girls in Borno State, who are later rescued by the army, underscoring the multi‑front nature of the crisis[4].

Nov 30, 2025 – Community‑bandit peace talks emerge in Katsina State, where villages negotiate school protection and resource access in exchange for peace, while analysts warn bandits are shifting southward to richer targets, heightening school‑kidnapping risks[4].

Dec 7, 2025 – Nigerian authorities report that 100 children from the Papiri abduction have been freed, though federal officials decline to comment; U.S. congressional leaders discuss counter‑terrorism cooperation with Nigeria during a visit to Abuja[6].

Dec 8, 2025 – About 100 abducted pupils arrive in Minna escorted by military vehicles and are received by Governor Umar Bago, who welcomes the release while details of the negotiation remain undisclosed[3].

Dec 8, 2025 – The rescued students are slated to reunite with families on Tuesday, more than 300 km from Minna, highlighting the logistical effort to return children home[3].

Dec 8, 2025 – The Christian Association of Nigeria confirms 100 children have been released but notes over 100 remain captive, and U.S. President Donald Trump remarks that Christians are being targeted, adding diplomatic pressure on the Tinubu administration[9].

Dec 11, 2025 – Former captive Onyeka Chieme recounts being threatened with gunfire during the Papiri raid and spending two weeks in the bush, while his father says he would not survive if his son dies, illustrating the trauma endured by survivors[8].

Dec 21, 2025 – A presidential spokesperson announces the release of an additional 130 pupils, stating the total freed now reaches 230 and describing the operation as “a moment of triumph and relief” for the nation[5].

Dec 22, 2025 – Officials confirm that the remaining 130 abductees have been rescued, with President Bayo Onanuga noting the total freed is 230; a reception is planned in Minna where the governor and the Catholic bishop will welcome the children[2].

Dec 24, 2025 – The final batch of 130 students and teachers returns to Papiri for a Christmas reunion, with families embracing the freed children and the government declaring that all 230 abducted victims are now safe[7].

Jan 4, 2026 – Niger State’s education ministry orders schools in safe areas to reopen on Jan 12, mandates a security presence around campuses, and requires registration of every child within a week, while noting that all missing pupils were rescued before Christmas[1].

Jan 5, 2026 – The day after the reopening announcement, gunmen attack Kasuwan‑Daji in Niger State, killing at least 30 people and abducting several others, underscoring the fragile security environment despite the planned school resumptions[1].