The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced that 50 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State, have escaped and reunited with their families.
CAN disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the children regained freedom between Friday and Saturday.
“We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” said Daniel Atori, media aide to the CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese.
He said the pupils found their way home after fleeing but did not return to the school premises. CAN officials confirmed the development after contacting and visiting several parents.
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The association offered further updates on the number of pupils still missing.
“Note that, 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.”
The statement included images showing empty bunk beds and scattered belongings in the dormitory shortly after the invasion.
Atori said Bishop Yohanna, who owns the school on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, had personally verified the figures. He urged the public to remain calm and continue praying for the safe rescue of all remaining captives.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Over 300 students were abducted on Friday when armed men stormed the Catholic primary and secondary school. While initial reports suggested 227 kidnappings, CAN later put the number at 315, made up of 303 students and 12 teachers.
After a verification exercise, the association discovered that 88 children earlier believed to have escaped were in fact abducted, based on reports from distressed parents who could not find their children.
Yohanna also addressed claims that the school had received prior warnings of an impending attack.
“That is not true; we did not receive any circular. It must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame,” he said. He insisted that no security warning was issued verbally or in writing.
He added that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese—not any individual—as previously speculated.