By Euclid Myke, Abuja
Some parents and relatives of students abducted from the St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara local government, Niger State, have heaved a sigh of relief, following the escape of about 50 students from the den and who have been reunited with their parents.
Recall that on November 21, 2025, armed gunmen raided the school and kidnapped 315 persons: 303 pupils and 12 teachers from the school.
In a statement released by his media assistant, Daniel Atori in Minna, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the school’s proprietor and the Catholic bishop of Kontagora Diocese, provided the update.
The chairman explained that the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.
We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.
”This is to notify the public that, as at Sunday 23rd November, 2025 we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents. We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,” the statement disclosed.
“For the records, we now have Primary 251 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 from 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 of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors, ”the CAN chairman stated.
The cleric called on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as he assured of continous active collaboration with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.
“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, ”Bishop Yohanna added.
