Niger school abduction toll rises to 315 as CAN chairman faults govt “propaganda” on security warning

By Johnson Arua

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, has confirmed that the number of students and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area, has risen to 315.

He disclosed this after a fresh verification and final census revealed that 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped during the attack.

According to Bishop Yohanna, the figures increased after further investigations showed that 88 additional students, previously believed to have escaped, were also taken away by the attackers.

“After we left the school at Papiri, we made calls, conducted a verification exercise and further inquiries on those we initially thought had escaped. We later discovered that 88 more students were captured while trying to flee,” he said.

He explained that concerns were raised when some parents returned asking for their children who had earlier been marked as safe. This prompted a recount that revealed the true extent of the abduction.

“This brings the total number of abducted persons to 315, that is 303 students (male and female) and 12 teachers (four females and eight males).”

The Bishop noted that the school has a combined population of 629 learners, with 430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary school.

Bishop Rejects Government’s Claim of Prior Security Warning

Reacting to claims by the Niger State Government that the school received prior security alerts, Bishop Yohanna dismissed the assertion as “propaganda.”

He said he had just returned from Papiri, where he met with distressed parents to assure them of efforts to secure the release of their children, only to be confronted with what he described as a deliberate attempt to shift blame.

“We did not receive any circular. It must be an afterthought and a way to shift responsibility,” he insisted. “In 2022, when we heard rumours of insecurity, we shut down immediately. Is it now, when government claims to have issued a circular, that we would refuse to obey?”

He also debunked reports alleging that some Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja on the day of the incident.

“The school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not any individual. None of the Sisters travelled to Abuja as alleged. Whoever made that misleading statement should withdraw it or provide evidence.”

The Bishop revealed that neither the Education Secretary nor the National Association of Private Schools received any such circular.

“Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to and through what channel. Claims that the school was recently shut down and reopened are also false. We are law-abiding.”

Calls for Calm and Prayers

Most Rev. Yohanna appealed for calm, assuring parents and Nigerians that the Church is working closely with security agencies, community leaders and government authorities to ensure the safe return of all abductees.

“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful. We will continue to cooperate with security operatives and authorities for the quick and safe return of our children,” he said.

“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and protect His people from all dangers.”