Amanze Chinonye
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 315 people were abducted during the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
The updated figure comprising 303 students and 12 teachers follows a comprehensive verification exercise and headcount conducted after initial confusion over the number of escapees.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said officials made further calls and inquiries after some parents returned to report their children missing. This process revealed that 88 additional students, previously believed to have successfully escaped, were also seized by the attackers.
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The Diocese said the assailants invaded the school between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., shooting and severely injuring a security guard before rounding up students and staff. The school has a total population of 629 learners, including 430 primary school pupils and 199 secondary school students.
CAN has strongly rejected circulating claims that the school ignored prior warnings from government or security agencies, describing such reports as “propaganda” aimed at shifting blame. The association maintains that neither the school’s education secretary nor the National Association of Private Schools received any advisory before the incident.
However, the Niger State Government insists that the school had reopened without official clearance, despite what it describes as credible intelligence and a directive suspending boarding school operations in high-risk areas. It said the failure to comply contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Security forces, including police tactical units and military personnel, have been deployed and are combing surrounding forests in ongoing search-and-rescue operations. Authorities say investigations are underway as efforts intensify to locate the abducted victims.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has condemned the attack, calling it a heartbreaking escalation of violence against educational institutions in the region. The Church says it is collaborating with community leaders and security agencies while urging the public to pray for the safe return of all abductees.
The incident marks one of the largest school kidnappings in recent years, underscoring Nigeria’s deepening security crisis and the continued vulnerability of rural learning centres to armed groups.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
