Fifty students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State, have escaped captivity and reunited with their families, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed.
In a statement on Sunday, Chairman of CAN in Niger State and Catholic bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the pupils regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday. He noted that the students were initially unable to return to the school, prompting officials to contact parents to verify their safety.
“The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped”, the statement read. “We were able to ascertain this when we contacted and visited some parents”.
Yohanna provided an overview of the school population, stating that out of 430 primary pupils, 377 are boarders while 53 are day students. Aside from the 50 pupils who escaped, 141 students were not abducted.
He appealed for continued calm and support as efforts to secure the release of the remaining students continue. “We urge everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we collaborate with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of all abductees”, Yohanna said.
Currently, 236 pupils, three children of staff, and 14 secondary students, totaling 253 children including 12 staff members, remain with the abductors.
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