Niger School Releases New Update On Kidnapped Staff, Students

Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, Niger State, have escaped from their abductors and reunited with their families, the school authorities confirmed on Sunday.

Naija News reports that the escape comes barely days after gunmen invaded the school and abducted 303 pupils and students, sparking nationwide outrage and intensified calls for stronger security around schools.

According to school officials, the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday but did not return to the school premises. Instead, each child made their way home or was found within nearby communities.

The school confirmed their status by contacting and visiting parents, verifying that the children had safely returned.

The Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed the development in an electronically signed update by his media aide, Daniel Atori.

Yohanna said the escape brings some relief but warned that the crisis remains far from over.

According to him, “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.”

Providing a detailed breakdown, the Bishop said, “For the records, we now have 251 primary pupils, 14 secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors.

“In the primary section, out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non-boarders.

“Currently, aside the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.”

Yohanna pleaded for calm as efforts continue to rescue the remaining victims.

He said, “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims.

“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we will continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers.”