At least 50 schoolchildren abducted in Niger State during a mass kidnapping have managed to escape and reunite with their parents, authorities at the affected school have confirmed.
The attack took place on Thursday night at St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri. School officials initially reported that 303 children were taken by suspected terrorists.
In a statement released on Sunday, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Catholic Bishop of Kontagora and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, said the pupils escaped from the kidnappers between Friday and Saturday. He added that none returned directly to the school, but were traced to their homes through family visits and telephone checks.
St. Mary’s Primary School has a total of 430 pupils, including 377 boarders. According to Yohanna, 141 children were not seized during the attack. However, 236 pupils, three children of staff, 14 secondary students and 12 school staff remain in captivity, bringing the total number still held to 253.
He appealed for calm, urging Nigerians to pray for the safe release of the victims and expressing hope that ongoing collaboration with security agencies, government officials, community leaders and the Church would secure their freedom.
“We receive this news with gratitude, but we must continue to pray for the remaining abducted children and staff,” the Bishop said, praying for divine intervention and protection for the community.
