In a dramatic turn of events, Nigerian authorities have announced the release of 130 schoolchildren abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger state, following what officials are calling a “military-intelligence driven operation.” President Bola Tinubu’s office wasted no time in publicizing the news, eager to claim credit for the children’s return after a month-long ordeal that gripped the nation and the world.

The mass kidnapping, which saw over 300 students and staff snatched by so-called “bandits,” has been splashed across headlines as one of the most shocking incidents in Nigeria’s recent history. The attack, yet another in a string of high-profile abductions, has once again exposed the glaring security failures in northern Nigeria, where criminal gangs operate with apparent impunity, targeting schools for lucrative ransom payouts.

While some students managed to escape in the chaos and around 100 were released earlier, the government is now touting the latest release as a major success. However, officials admit that 35 students and teachers are still missing, with vague promises that efforts to free them are “ongoing.” Details about the so-called rescue operation remain scarce, fueling speculation about what really happened behind the scenes.

The government’s response has come under intense scrutiny, both at home and abroad. President Tinubu is facing a barrage of criticism for his handling of the crisis, as Nigerians and international observers question the effectiveness of his administration’s security policies. Even former U.S. President Donald Trump has weighed in, using the incident to slam Nigeria’s record on protecting Christian communities.

Despite the government’s attempts to celebrate the children’s return, skepticism abounds. Authorities are notoriously tight-lipped about the mechanics of these “rescues,” and arrests of the perpetrators are almost unheard of. Security experts openly suggest that ransom payments,officially denied, of course,are the real reason behind the children’s release, a practice that only encourages more kidnappings.

The emotional toll on the children and their families has been immense, with parents left in limbo for weeks, desperate for news. Human rights groups and child advocates are now demanding more than just empty promises, calling for real action to protect schools and support traumatized victims.

While the government basks in the spotlight of this partial victory, the reality is that dozens remain missing and the threat of future abductions looms large. The so-called “success” story is far from over, and Nigerians are left wondering if anything will truly change,or if this is just another episode in a never-ending cycle of crisis and government spin.