*The Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter, affirms 50 of the kidnapped students escaped from their captors between and Saturday, but a total of 253 children, including 12 members of staff are still with their abductors

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Fifty of the over 300 students that bandits recently kidnapped from St. Mary鈥檚 Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Niger State of Nigeria, have escaped their captors.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) disclosed this development in a statement issued Sunday, November 23, 2025.

CAN revealed the 50 affected children made their escape between Friday and Saturday last week.

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Daniel Atori, media aide to Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and CAN Chairman in Niger State, noted in the statement: We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents.

鈥淭he pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday, and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.

“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.”

Atori stated Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese announced the update after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out, according to reports.

According to CAN, a breakdown of the newly-released data this indicated that 303 students and 12 teachers were affected, totalling 315.

The cleric also stated: 鈥淣ote that, in the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non-boarders.

鈥淐urrently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away.

CAN further revealed: “As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another three children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children, including 12 members of staff with the abductors.鈥�

Bishop Yohanna urged the people for calm, seeking prayers for the successful rescue of the remaining victims from the captors.

He said: 鈥淎s 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.

鈥淚 want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we will continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.”

He prayed: 鈥淢ay the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers.鈥�

In a related development, Rev. Fr. Jatau Joseph, Diocesan Secretary, in a statement Sunday, November 23, disclosed the Diocese also released the names of the children who escaped from the captors.

How CAN got the total figure of abductees, by Bishop Yohanna

Reeling off the figures of the victims of kidnapping from the school, Bishop Yohanna said: 鈥淎fter we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do a verification exercise, and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.

鈥淥ur attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking about their children.

“We became curious, and that was when we did a census and discovered that they were abducted.鈥�

鈥�No prior warning,鈥� insists Yohanna

The Chairman of CAN Niger State Chapter also addressed the widely reported notion that there were intelligent reports before the abduction.

He reportedly said: 鈥淎lso, it is very pertinent that we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies, as peddled in some quarters.

鈥淚 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.

“But it was greeted with what I term ‘propaganda’ that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.”

The cleric asserted: 鈥淭hat is not true; we did not receive any circular.

“It must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame.”

Yohanna also stated: “In the past, around 2022, when we heard of rumours of a security challenge, we did not hesitate; we shut down immediately.

“Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shut down that we will now not obey?鈥�

The affected school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, and not any individual, as earlier reported, the statement clarified.

He said: 鈥淭he school is owned by the Catholic Diocese and not by any individual. None of the Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja as they alleged.

“Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is a false allegation and should withdraw such or provide the proofs and evidence.”

Bishop Yohanna quipped: 鈥淲e have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular, he said no; or if he was asked to send any to us, he said no. “We asked if he was verbally informed, and he also said no.

“Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel they sent it.”

The cleric intoned: 鈥淲e also asked the National Association of Private Schools, and they did not get any such circular.

“They claimed the school was shut down and reopened a few days ago, which is also not true. We are law-abiding.鈥�

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