Nigeria's insecurity: OLA Sisters renew global appeal as 165 Papiri School children remain in captivity

By Johnson Arua

The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) have renewed their appeal to the international community to intervene urgently in the rescue of 165 pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, who have now spent four weeks in captivity following their abduction on November 21.

In a press statement the OLA Sisters disclosed that some of the victims still being held by their captors are as young as five years old, a situation they described as deeply distressing for families, the local community and the congregation.

According to the statement, armed men stormed the school in the early hours of November 21 and abducted 265 pupils and staff from their dormitories. The schools are managed by the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and owned by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, within the Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province.

The congregation expressed cautious relief following the release of 100 captives on December 14, including 14 secondary school students, one staff member, 80 primary school pupils and five nursery school children. However, concern remains intense for the 165 persons still in captivity—11 staff members, 35 nursery pupils and 119 primary school children aged between five and 12 years.

“These children were taken at night and are not even properly clothed. They are being kept in atrocious conditions in the forest. How much longer must their suffering endure?” asked Sr. Mary T. Barron, Congregation Leader of the OLA Sisters.

Sr. Barron noted that the congregation, alongside supporters worldwide, continues to pray fervently for the safety and protection of the abducted children. She expressed gratitude for the support received so far and urged religious congregations, Catholic institutions, faith communities and people of goodwill to sustain their prayers and solidarity.

She also made a direct appeal to political leaders and those with influence to support the Nigerian government in securing the immediate release of the captives.

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing,” Sr. Barron said, calling on all who have the power to act to do so in the interest of the children’s safety and well-being.