Relief swept through parts of Niger State as about 50 students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area, successfully escaped from captivity and reunited with their families.
The encouraging development comes just days after the shocking November 21, 2025 attack, when armed gunmen stormed the school and kidnapped 315 people—303 pupils and 12 teachers—sparking nationwide concern and intense security efforts.
In a statement issued in Minna by his media aide, Daniel Atori, the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna—who is also the school proprietor and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese—confirmed the escape and provided fresh updates on the situation.
According to Bishop Yohanna, the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday but immediately made their way home instead of returning to the school, prompting school authorities to contact families directly to verify the information.
“As at Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the chairman said. “We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.”
Despite the positive news, the bishop noted that a large number of victims are still in captivity. “For the records, we now have Primary 251 pupils, 14 secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors,” he reported.
Providing a clearer breakdown of the school population, he explained that St. Mary’s has 430 primary pupils, of which 377 are boarders. While 50 abducted pupils have returned home and 141 were not taken during the raid, a total of 236 pupils, three children of staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff remain with the kidnappers—amounting to 253 individuals still missing.
Bishop Yohanna urged the public to remain calm and prayerful, assuring that the Church, community leaders, security agencies, and government authorities are working tirelessly to bring the remaining captives home safely.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped 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.
Families and the wider Niger State community continue to cling to hope as rescue efforts intensify and more encouraging updates emerge.