The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese has released the names of 265 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, who remain in captivity following a recent mass abduction.
Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, who also serves as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, disclosed that the remaining captives include 12 staff members (five teachers and seven non-teaching personnel), 14 secondary school students, and 239 nursery and primary pupils.
This comes after the earlier release of 50 pupils who escaped the attack, all of whom have since been reunited with their families.
The staff members still in captivity include – Teachers: Bitrus Yohanna, Cyril Bagudu, Mercy Yohanna, Justina Yakubu, Yohanna Daniel Dogonyatro
Non-teaching Staff: Agnes Joseph, Anna Terry, Terry Francis, Emmanuel Ibrahim, [additional names if available]
The Bishop appealed to the Federal and State Governments, security agencies, and local communities to intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the remaining victims. He emphasized the need for coordinated military, police, and community action to protect schools and prevent future attacks.
Families of the captives have been urged to remain calm and provide any information that could aid security agencies, without compromising ongoing operations.
CAN Niger State chapter condemned the attack as a grave violation of human rights and an assault on education, calling for stronger security measures for all schools in the state.
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