Fatimah Otunsanya
The number of pupils and students abducted from the St Mary Private Primary and Secondary schools has risen to 303, according to the Niger State CAN.
The abduction occurred in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed the St Mary’s Catholic School in the early hours of Friday, initially kidnapping 215 pupils and 12 teachers.
Following a verification exercise and further inquiries, the number of abducted students was updated to 303, with the total number of victims now 315, including 12 teachers.
The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State chapter, Most Rev Bulus Yohanna, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday through his media aide, Daniel Atori, saying the increase came after a verification exercise and final census.
The Bishop also stated that the management of St Mary Private Primary and Secondary schools, as well as the National Association of Private Schools, did not receive any prior government circular instructing the closure of secondary schools in the area before the attack.
“The total number of victims abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area is now 303 students and 12 teachers,” Atori quoted the Bishop as saying.
“After leaving the school, we made calls and conducted a verification exercise to confirm the status of those we thought had escaped. We discovered that 88 more students had been captured while attempting to flee. This came to light when parents, whose children we believed were safe, inquired about them. It prompted us to carry out a full census, which revealed the higher number.”
At present, 303 students, both male and female, and 12 teachers, four female and eight male, remain abducted, bringing the total number of victims to 315. The school’s enrolment stands at 629, with 430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary,” he added.
The Bishop also addressed claims of prior government warnings: “Contrary to rumours, no circular or warning was received from the government or security agencies. This narrative appears to be an afterthought aimed at shifting blame. In 2022, when security concerns arose, the school shut down immediately. We have always complied with security advisories, whether formal or informal.
‘The school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not any individual. No Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja, as alleged. Anyone making such claims should provide proof or retract the statements. Our Education Secretary confirmed he received no circulars, written or verbal, and the National Association of Private Schools also received none.’”
He concluded with a call for calm: “We urge everyone to remain prayerful. We will continue to collaborate actively with security operatives, community leaders, government, and relevant authorities to ensure the safe return of all abductees. May the Lord grant their quick release and protect His people from harm.”