Trending 
The total number of pupils, students, and staff kidnapped during the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, has risen to 315.
According to the latest figures, 303 students and 12 staff members were taken by the attackers.
The updated tally was released by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese. He said the figures were confirmed after a comprehensive verification exercise and final headcount of all those missing following the incident.
“After leaving the school, we conducted further verification and enquiries, particularly regarding students who were initially believed to have escaped. We discovered that 88 additional students had been captured after attempting to flee,” he explained. “This brings the total number of abducted individuals to 315—303 students (male and female) and 12 teachers (four females, eight males). The school has a total of 629 pupils and students, with 430 in primary and 199 in secondary.”
Bishop Yohanna also responded to circulating rumours that the school had been warned ahead of the attack by government or security agencies, firmly stating that no such alert was ever issued.
He dismissed the reports as false: “We did not receive any circular or warning. Any claim suggesting otherwise is propaganda aimed at shifting blame. In the past, such as in 2022, we acted immediately on any security rumours by shutting down the school. This school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not individuals, and no Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja as alleged.”
He added that checks with the school’s Education Secretary and the National Association of Private Schools revealed that no circulars were issued and no directives were given concerning the school’s activities.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the CAN Chairman’s media aide, Daniel Atori, on Saturday, November 22.
The statement reads: “The total number of victims abducted by suspected terrorists from the St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwarra local government area of Niger state is now 303 students and 12 teachers.
“Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese gave the update after a verification exercise and a final census was carried out.
“Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna said “after we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do 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.
“Our attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking of their children. We became curious and that was when we did census and discovered that they were abducted.
“This now makes it 303 students (male and female) including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males) bringing the total to number of abducted persons to 315. The total of pupils and students is 629 with primary having 430 and the secondary 199 students.
“Also, it is very pertinent we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies as peddled in some quarters.
“I 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 was gritted with what I term “propaganda” that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.
“That is not true, we did not receive any circular, it must be an after thought and a way to shift blame. In the past, around 2022 when we heard of rumours of security challenge, we do not hesitate, we shutdown immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shutdown that we will now not obey?
“The 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 evidences.
“We 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, he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel did they send it.
“We also asked the National Association of Private Schools, they did not get any such circular. They claimed the school was shutdown and reopened few days ago, that is also not true, we are law abiding.
“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful and I also want to assure you that we will continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.
“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers.”
