The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has revealed that the total number of victims abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area has risen to 315, up from the initial 227 earlier reported.
The update was given by the CAN Chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, following an extensive verification exercise and a comprehensive headcount of students and staff.
According to the bishop, 303 students and 12 teachers—comprising 4 females and 8 males—were taken during the attack.
He explained that the figure increased after further inquiries showed that 88 additional students who were initially thought to have escaped were later discovered to be missing.
“After leaving the school at Papiri, we made several calls and conducted detailed checks. It became clear that some of the students we had believed escaped were actually captured,” Yohanna said. “Parents also returned, searching for their children whom we thought had fled safely. A fresh census confirmed they were abducted.”
Before the incident, the school had 629 learners—430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary school.
No Prior Warning From Government — CAN
Addressing reports that the school had been warned about an impending attack, Bishop Yohanna dismissed the claims as “propaganda” meant to shift blame.
“There was no circular, no message, and no verbal notice from the government or security agencies. It is false and misleading,” he said. “In the past, whenever we received any hint of a security threat, we closed the school immediately. We have always obeyed safety directives.”
He also clarified that St. Mary’s is owned strictly by the Catholic Diocese and not by any individual, adding that claims about Reverend Sisters traveling to Abuja before the incident were fabricated.
CAN stated that neither the Education Secretary nor the National Association of Private Schools received any directive suggesting a threat or an order to close the school.
A Call for Calm and United Action
Bishop Yohanna urged the public to remain calm and prayerful as efforts intensify to ensure the safe return of the abducted students and staff.
“We are working closely with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure our children and teachers are rescued unharmed.”
The attack occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Friday, when bandits, reportedly riding on over 60 motorcycles and a van, stormed the school premises. The gatekeeper was shot and sustained serious injuries.
Witnesses confirmed that both students and teachers were taken, describing the incident as deeply traumatic for the community.
FG Orders Immediate Closure of 41 Unity Schools
In a related development, the Federal Government has announced the swift shutdown of 41 Federal Unity Colleges due to heightened security concerns across various regions.
The directive, approved by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, was contained in a circular dated November 21, 2025.
According to the ministry, the decision was necessary to prevent potential attacks and protect students and staff across affected states in the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South.
Principals of the affected schools have been instructed to enforce the closure immediately.
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