The number of students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 315, up from the initial count of 227.
The updated figure was confirmed by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, following a verification exercise and final census.
The breakdown shows that 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped.
“After leaving the school at Papiri, we conducted calls, verification exercises, and further inquiries on those we thought had escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were abducted while trying to flee,” Yohanna said.
He added, “Some parents, whose children we believed had escaped, came asking for them. That prompted a census, which confirmed the additional abductions. This brings the total to 303 students, including 12 teachers, four females and eight males, making 315 abducted persons in all.”
The bishop noted that the school had a total of 629 pupils and students before the attack, with 430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary section.
Addressing claims that the school received prior warnings about the attack, Yohanna dismissed them as false. “That is not true. We did not receive any circular from the government or security agencies. Such claims are afterthoughts aimed at shifting blame,” he said.
He clarified that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not any individual, and called on anyone spreading misleading information to retract it or provide evidence.
“We have confirmed with the Education Secretary and the National Association of Private Schools, and neither received any circular. We are law-abiding,” Yohanna added.
He appealed for calm, urging the public to remain prayerful. “May the Lord grant the quick release of those abducted and continue to protect His people from all dangers,” he said.
The attack occurred early on Friday when gunmen, reportedly travelling on over 60 motorcycles accompanied by a van, stormed the private Catholic school.
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