The Proprietor and Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has disclosed that four children belonging to one of the diocese’s catechists are among the 265 students who remain missing more than a week after bandits abducted them.
The Bishop, who also heads the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Niger State, made the revelation during his homily at the First Sunday of Advent Mass held at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, on Sunday.
Although he declined to reveal the catechist’s identity “for obvious reasons,” Bishop Yohanna stressed that what the church and the wider community need at this critical moment is divine intervention to ensure the safe return of the pupils, students and teachers taken over a week ago.
He said, “What happened to us is tragic and unexpected, but those responsible for securing us have begun to act, and we believe God will intervene soon. One of our catechists has four children among those abducted. We cannot hide from the reality; the truth must be told. For over a week now, 265 children and teachers remain unaccounted for.
“We need them back, and I believe those responsible for our security are doing their job. Everyone is traumatised, but let us continue to pray. I believe our government is ready and capable of ensuring their safe return.”
Some worshippers also supported the call, urging the state governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take stronger and more forceful steps. One parent, Tina Okeke, who also serves as the Provincial President of Catholic Women, noted that the situation demands prayers from everyone regardless of religion, ethnicity or denomination.
“Is it an offence to send our children to school? Mothers everywhere should pray with us. We believe these innocent children will return home safely,” she said.
Another worshipper, Mrs. Elizabeth Otti, shared that fear now dominates daily life in Papiri, Agwara and Kontagora. “People go out in fear, worship in fear and even visit the market in fear,” she said. Emmanuel Anyanwu, an executive member of the Catholic Men Organisation, added that the entire community is “worried and devastated.”
But hopeful that God, who aided the rescue of captives in Kebbi and Kwara, will intervene again.
Parents of some of the missing students had earlier attempted a protest in Papiri on Saturday but were reportedly stopped by unidentified persons.
With widespread confusion over the actual number of abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Church School, the Niger State Police Command announced that it had opened a register in Papiri for parents to document the names of missing children.
However, residents reported that although school authorities had summoned parents for documentation, unidentified individuals allegedly acting “from above” dispersed them before the exercise began.
In response, the Police Command denied any role in dispersing the parents. Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that the police had initiated the documentation process and would not obstruct it.
“We invited the parents to provide information about children still missing, including those who have returned. We cannot state the exact number yet because documentation is ongoing,” he said, without giving details on how many names had been recorded so far.
What You Should Know
The Kontagora Diocese is facing one of its most distressing security challenges, with 265 students and teachers still unaccounted for after a major abduction.
Bishop Yohanna revealed that four children of a catechist are among the missing, heightening community grief. Security agencies have initiated search and documentation efforts, including opening a register for parents and deploying personnel to affected areas.
The government is said to be coordinating intelligence sharing, intensifying surveillance in vulnerable communities, and expanding forest combing operations as part of measures aimed at rescuing the abducted students and stabilising the region.
