Fifty of the more than 300 children abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State, have escaped from their captors, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed.
In a statement on Sunday, 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, said the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have since reunited with their parents.
“We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” he said. “They could not return to the school after their escape, so we verified the information by contacting and visiting some parents.”
Providing updated figures, CAN clarified that in the school’s primary section, 377 of the 430 pupils are boarders, while 53 are day students. Aside from the 50 children who escaped, 141 pupils were not abducted.
The association confirmed that 236 pupils, three children belonging to staff members, 14 secondary school students, making a total of 253 children, along with 12 staff members, remain in captivity.
Atori said Bishop Yohanna provided the latest information and urged the public to remain calm and prayerful as efforts continue to rescue the remaining abductees.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with relief, I urge everyone to continue praying for the safe return of the others.
“We are actively collaborating with security agencies, community leaders, government, and relevant authorities,” he said.
He added a prayer for God’s intervention, asking for the protection and safe release of all abducted victims.
CAN also released final verified figures showing that 315 people were abducted during the attack, 303 students and 12 teachers.
This followed a census that revealed an earlier assumption was incorrect, as 88 children initially believed to have escaped were later discovered to have been captured.
Reacting to claims that the school received prior warnings from government or security agencies, Bishop Yohanna dismissed the reports as “propaganda,” insisting no such communication was received.
“We did not receive any circular,” he said. “Let those making the claim provide proof. We are law-abiding and have shut down the school in the past when we heard of security threats.”
He further clarified that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not by any individual, contrary to widespread speculation.
(Channel Tv)
