By Deborah Nnamdi
Fifty of the more than 300 children kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State, have escaped from their captors.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, announced the development in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the children found their way to safety between Friday and Saturday.
“We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” said Daniel Atori, media aide to CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese.
Atori said the pupils, unable to return to the school, made contact with their families directly, prompting CAN officials to verify their return through visits to affected parents.
He provided updated figures showing the scale of the abduction: out of 430 pupils in the school’s primary section, 377 are boarders and 53 are day students. “Currently, aside the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away,” he added. “As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another three children belonging to staff, 14 secondary students, making a total of 253 children, including 12 members of staff, still with the abductors.”
The CAN chairman urged the public to remain calm and prayerful as efforts continue to rescue the remaining victims. “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said, assuring that the association is working closely with security agencies, community leaders and government authorities.
Over 300 students were abducted when armed terrorists stormed the school on Friday. While earlier reports indicated 227 victims, CAN has now confirmed that 315 people were taken — comprising 303 students and 12 teachers — following a verification exercise and final headcount.
Bishop Yohanna explained that the revised total came after parents reported missing children initially believed to have escaped. “We discovered that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape,” he said.
Security agencies continue the search-and-rescue operation as families await further updates.
