Niger School Abduction Rises To 315 Victims

The Bishop of the Catholic Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has confirmed that the number of people abducted by suspected terrorists from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, has risen to 303 students and 12 teachers.

Yohanna, who also serves as Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said the updated figure followed a thorough verification and census of the victims.

He stated, “After we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do verification exercise and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.

“Our attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking of their children. We became curious and that was when we did census and discovered that they were abducted.

“This now makes it 303 students (male and female) including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males) bringing the total number of abducted persons to 315.”

The Bishop disputed government claims, suggesting that the school had been issued prior warnings to close its boarding facilities. He accused authorities of attempting to shift blame onto the school.

“I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely but was gritted with what I term ‘propaganda’ that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular. That is not true, we did not receive any circular, it must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame.

“In the past, around 2022, when we heard of rumours of security challenges , we did not hesitate; we shut down immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shut down that we will now not obey?

“The school is owned by the Catholic Diocese and not by any individual. None of the Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja as they alleged. Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is a false allegation and should withdraw it or provide proof and evidence.

“We have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular; he said no. If he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed; he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel did they send it.

“We also asked the National Association of Private Schools; they did not get any such circular. They claimed the school was shut down and reopened a few days ago, that is also not true. We are law-abiding,” Yohanna added.

He reassured the public that the school and Catholic Diocese remain committed to working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and relevant authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of all abductees.