By Ayo Kehinde
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 50 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, have escaped from captivity and safely reunited with their families.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the CAN chairman in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the pupils regained freedom between Friday and Saturday, returning quietly to their homes.
Yohanna explained that school officials discovered the escape after reaching out to parents to verify the whereabouts of their children when the pupils failed to return to the school premises.
“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 confirm this when we contacted and visited some parents,” he said.
Providing an update on the number of affected pupils, Yohanna disclosed that the school’s primary section has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students.
He added that aside from the 50 who escaped, 141 pupils were not abducted during Friday’s attack.
“As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another three children belonging to our staff, 14 secondary students — making a total of 253 children — along with 12 members of staff still with the abductors,” he stated.
The list of pupils who escaped includes Samson Bitrus, Emmanuel Francis, Amos Mathew, Timothy Peter, Ayuba Victor, Bulus Emmanuel, Bulus Samaila, Caleb Hossa, Catherine Emmanuel, Christopher Ezekiel, Dominic Daniel, Dominic Elisha, Elisha Haruna, Ezekiel Yakubu, Ezekiel Emmanuel, Ezekiel Samuel, Ezekiel Plus, Ezra James, Femi Peter, Gloria Jeremiah, Godiya Mathew, Ibiya, Ishaaya David, Joseph Sunday, Julius Paul, Justina Adamu, Keziah Musa, Lawrence James and Lawrence Yohanna.
Others are Marcus Bulus, Mariam Joshua, Mathew Dauda, Micah Luka, Michael Jacob, Musa Timothy, Naomi Bulus, Nicodemus Ibrahim, Peter Jonathan, Priscilla Peter, Emmanuel Godwin, Samaila Dauda, Stephen Andrew, Sunday Shadrach, Victoria David, Victoria Ishaku, Vincent Emmanuel, Yahaya Sani, Yakubu Saminu, Yunusa Musa and Yusuf Sunday.
The bishop appealed for calm and continued prayers as efforts intensify to secure the release of 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,” he said.
Friday’s mass abduction has drawn widespread national and international outrage, amplifying calls for improved security in schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
