The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has dismissed circulating claims that the abductors of the 315 students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area, demanded ₦3 billion for their freedom.
The Chairman of CAN in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, offered an updated position on Saturday, making it clear that the gunmen had not reached out to anyone.
Speaking on the matter, Bishop Yohanna cautioned the public against relying on unverified information. “You know social media. If you go there, they will mislead you. Even some of the things that flying around… That’s why we usually make official statement. I am not aware. No contact yet,” he said.
He previously confirmed that the total number of abducted victims was 315, a figure that followed hours of verification by school and community leaders.
A newly compiled breakdown revealed that 303 students and 12 teachers were taken during the attack. Yohanna explained, “After we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do a verification exercise, and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.
“Our attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking about their children. We became curious, and that was when we did a census and discovered that they were abducted.
“This now makes it 303 students (male and female), including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males), bringing the total number of abducted persons to 315.”
He noted that before the incident, the school population stood at 629, with 430 pupils in the primary section and 199 in the secondary section.
Addressing another viral claim suggesting that the government or security agencies issued prior warnings before the attack, Yohanna rejected the insinuation.
He stated, “Also, it is very pertinent that we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies, as peddled in some quarters.
“I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and Security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely but was gritted with what I term ‘propaganda’ that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.
“That is not true, we did not receive any circular, it must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame. In the past, around 2022, when we heard of rumours of a security challenge, we did not hesitate; we shut down immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shut down that we will now not obey?”
Amid escalating anxiety over nationwide insecurity, the Federal Government has announced the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges. The directive, dated November 21, 2025, was issued by the Federal Ministry of Education.
According to the circular, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, approved the shutdown due to “recent security challenges” in several regions and the urgent need to prevent further incidents. Principals of the affected colleges were instructed to enforce compliance without delay. The schools are located across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South, where threats have intensified in recent months.
What You Should Know
The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools has become one of the largest abductions in recent years, with 315 people, mostly children, taken.
CAN has made it clear that no communication or ransom demand has been received from the kidnappers.
As security concerns escalate nationally, the Federal Government has shut down multiple Unity Schools as a precaution, highlighting the growing urgency of safeguarding students across the country.
