Fifty children among the more than 300 abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, have managed to escape from their captors, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The update, provided on Sunday, revealed that the children regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday.
Daniel Atori, media aide to the CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that the escapees have been reunited with their families. He explained that the children fled to safety and went directly home, making it possible to confirm their status only after contacting and visiting parents.
He clarified that the primary section of the school has 430 pupils, with 377 being boarders. “Aside from the 50 who escaped and returned home, there are currently 141 pupils who were not taken,” he said. According to updated figures, 236 pupils, three children belonging to staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff members remain in captivity.
Atori noted that Bishop Yohanna, who also owns the school through the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, provided the latest assessment. He urged the public to remain prayerful and calm as collaborative efforts continue between security agencies, community leaders, and relevant authorities to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims.
He expressed cautious relief over the escape of the 50 children while emphasising the need for continued intercession. “May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers,” he prayed.
The mass abduction occurred when armed terrorists stormed the school in the early hours of Friday. Although initial reports suggested 227 people were abducted, CAN later revised the total number to 315 after conducting a verification and headcount. The updated breakdown shows that 303 students and 12 teachers were taken.
Bishop Yohanna explained that the figures rose because some students who initially appeared to have escaped were later discovered to be missing. “Parents who thought their children had made it out safely later returned with concerns, prompting us to run additional checks. That was when we realized 88 more students had been captured while attempting to flee,” he said.
‘No Prior Warning’
The CAN Chairman also dispelled claims that the school was warned ahead of the attack. He described the circulating narrative as misinformation aimed at shifting blame.
“Contrary to the propaganda that the government issued a circular asking the school to shut down, we never received any directive,” he stated. He recalled that in 2022, when security threats surfaced, the school promptly closed—highlighting that they have always complied with government advisories.
He insisted that the school belongs to the Catholic Diocese and not any individual. He also dismissed allegations that Reverend Sisters had travelled to Abuja before the incident, calling such claims false. According to him, neither the Education Secretary nor the National Association of Private Schools received any circular warning of an imminent attack.
“We are law-abiding,” he stressed, urging those spreading misinformation to withdraw their statements or provide verifiable evidence.
What You Should Know
St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Niger State suffered one of the largest school abductions in recent years.
While 50 children have escaped, over 250 students and staff remain in captivity.
The attack has renewed concerns about escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s northern region, prompting calls for accurate information, coordinated rescue efforts, and an end to misinformation as families await the safe return of their loved ones.
