50 abducted pupils escape captivity in Niger, reunite with families

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state has announced that 50 students kidnapped from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, have escaped from their captors.

In a statement released Sunday, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman and Catholic bishop of Kontagora diocese, confirmed the pupils regained freedom between Friday and Saturday and “quietly reunited with their families.”

He explained that the children could not return to school immediately, but were traced after officials visited some parents.

The statement said, “The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.”

Yohanna added, “We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.”

He provided an update on the school population, noting, “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 others are non-boarders.”

Currently, aside from the 50 who escaped, “we have 141 pupils who were not carried away,” while “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.”

Bishop Yohanna appealed for continued prayers and calm, emphasising ongoing efforts to free the remaining captives: “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.”