By Abiola Olawale
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 50 students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools have escaped their captors and have been reunited with their families.
The students, part of a group of over 300 pupils, students, and teachers seized during a mass kidnapping at the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday, returning home quietly and individually.
Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Chairman of the Niger State chapter of CAN and the Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, announced the development on Sunday
The statement reads in part: “The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.
“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.
“Note that, in the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 are non-boarders.
“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away.
“As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students, making a total of 253 children, including 12 members of staff, with the abductors.”
Yohanna appealed for continued support and calm as efforts intensify to secure the release of the remaining abductees.
“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,” he added.
