Dare Babalola
The number of people abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, has risen to 315, including 303 students and 12 staff members, up from the initial count of 227.
This update was confirmed by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, after a verification exercise revealed that 88 additional students had been captured while trying to escape.
In a statement issued by the Niger CAN chairman’s Media Aide, Daniel Atori, on Saturday, the cleric, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, refuted claims that the school had been given prior warning by the government, calling it “propaganda” and an attempt to shift blame.
Most Rev. Yohanna explained, “After we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, conduct a verification exercise, and make further inquiries 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 when some parents, whose children we had thought escaped the attack, came asking about their children. We became curious, and that was when we conducted a census and discovered that they were abducted.”
The chairman stated that the total number of pupils and students is 629, comprising 430 primary school students and 199 secondary school students.
Addressing the claims of prior notice, Rev. Yohanna stated, “It is very pertinent we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies as peddled in some quarters.
“I just returned to the village tonight after visiting 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 ensure our children are rescued and brought back safely. However, I was met with what I term ‘propaganda’ that the school had been given 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 rumours of security challenges, we did not hesitate—we shut down immediately. Is it only when there is a circular from the government asking us to shut down that we will obey?”
The chairman clarified that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not an individual, and denied allegations that any Reverend Sisters traveled to Abuja, stating that such claims are untrue.
The cleric said, “Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is a false allegation and should either withdraw it or provide proof and evidence.
“We asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular; he said no. We asked 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 they sent 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.”
The chairman urged everyone to remain calm and prayerful, assuring that the Catholic Diocese would continue collaborating with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe and speedy return of all abducted students.
