St Mary’s Catholic School kidnap: 227 people were abducted – CAN

The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed that 227 people, including pupils, students, and teachers, were abducted when bandits stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, during a deadly overnight raid between 2am and 3am on Friday, November 21.

The exact number of abductees had initially remained unclear, but by Friday evening, Daniel Atori, media aide to the CAN chairman in the state, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, released a statement clarifying that 215 pupils and students and 12 teachers were taken from the school.

Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said he had returned to the village after visiting the school and meeting with distraught parents. He assured families that CAN is working closely with government officials, security agencies, and community leaders to ensure that the children and teachers are rescued safely.

“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,” the statement said. He added that some students managed to escape during the chaos, and parents had begun taking home those who were found, forcing the school to shut down entirely.

Yohanna urged the public to remain calm and prayerful as efforts intensify to track the kidnappers and secure the release of all abductees. “I want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees. May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Niger State government disclosed that the school had reopened without official clearance, despite an advisory directing all boarding schools in the area to temporarily suspend operations due to escalating security threats.

The attack comes just days after gunmen abducted 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, a development that has deepened fears across northern Nigeria as school attacks continue to surge.