Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have escaped and reunited with their families, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state announced on Sunday.
The confirmation came days after suspected terrorists stormed the school and abducted a total of 303 pupils, students, and staff.
The schoolchildren, aged between 10 and 18, escaped separately between Friday and Saturday, according to the Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger state and the proprietor of the school.
A total of 253 schoolchildren and 12 teachers are still held by the kidnappers, he said in a statement.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Minna by his media aide, Prince Dan Atori, the Chairman of CAN in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the children escaped between Friday and Saturday but did not return to the school, prompting officials to trace and verify from their parents.
“We were able to ascertain this when we contacted and visited some parents,” the statement said.
Most Rev. Yohanna, who is also the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora and proprietor of the school, provided a detailed breakdown of those still in captivity. He explained that out of the 430 pupils in the primary section, 377 are boarders while 53 are day students.
According to him, aside from the 50 pupils who escaped and returned home, 141 pupils were not abducted at all. This leaves “236 pupils, another three children belonging to staff, 14 secondary school students—making 253 children—as well as 12 staff members still with the abductors.”
While expressing relief over the return of the 50 escaped children, the CAN chairman urged the public to remain prayerful and calm.
“We receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, but I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said.
He added that CAN and the school authorities are working closely with security agencies, community leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Most Rev. Yohanna prayed for divine intervention, asking God to grant quick release to the abducted and protection for the community.
