The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has confirmed the deaths of two parents whose children were among the more than 300 students abducted last week from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The bishop, who also owns the two schools, disclosed the development on Wednesday. He identified one of the deceased parents as Anthony Musa, who reportedly died of a heart attack following the trauma of the abduction. The cause of death of the second parent, a woman, has not been established.

“The man, Anthony Musa, died of a heart attack, but the female, we don’t have the details yet because we couldn’t get the family,” Rev. Yohanna said, describing the situation as deeply tragic for the community.

According to the bishop, only 50 students have so far returned out of the more than 300 children taken when armed bandits invaded the two Catholic schools in Agwara. The vast majority of the abducted students remain in captivity.

On Monday, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora published the names of the students and teachers still being held by the attackers, in an effort to coordinate rescue efforts and keep the public informed.

The abduction, one of the largest school raids in recent months, has sparked widespread concern over the rising vulnerability of schools across the region and the emotional toll on families awaiting the safe return of their children.