By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
RELIEF SPREAD through Papiri community after confirmation emerged that children seized during the recent mass abduction at St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State had escaped their captors and returned home.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state released the update on Sunday, stating that the children regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday before quietly reuniting with their families.
The statement, issued through the media aide to the Niger CAN Chairman, Daniel Atori, noted that the information was verified after officials contacted and visited parents.
According to Atori, the chairman of the Niger CAN chapter and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed the development after a fresh verification exercise.
Officials explained that the pupils did not return to the school immediately after fleeing captivity, prompting the CAN to embark on visits and calls to verify their safety.
The association described the discovery as “good news” delivered in the midst of a difficult period for families and the wider community.
The statement also drew attention to the structure of the school, explaining that 430 pupils are registered in the primary section, with 377 boarders and 53 non-boarders.
CAN noted that 141 pupils were not abducted during the attack. Alongside the 50 who escaped, the organisation reported that 236 pupils, three children of staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff remain in captivity.
Bishop Yohanna appealed for calm as efforts continue to secure the release of those still held.
He called for sustained prayers and assured families that cooperation with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities remains ongoing.
“As 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,” the statement said.
Fresh details from the CAN verification exercise revealed an updated figure of 315 people abducted during the attack, comprising 303 students and 12 teachers.
Earlier reports had placed the number at 227, before a recount confirmed that 88 students earlier believed to have escaped were among those taken.
According to Bishop Yohanna, parents alerted officials about missing children previously thought to be safe, triggering a recount.
“After 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,” he said.
He added that the census became necessary after parents approached the school seeking information about their children’s whereabouts.
The CAN chairman also addressed widely circulated claims that the school had received prior security warnings before the attack.
He stated that no such circular was delivered by government or security agencies.
He described the allegation as “propaganda” and insisted that the school had, in the past, promptly shut down in response to security concerns.
CAN said enquiries with the Education Secretary and the National Association of Private Schools showed no evidence of any prior directive to close the school.
Yohanna further clarified that St Mary’s Catholic School is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not by any individual, dismissing claims that certain clergy members travelled to Abuja shortly before the attack.
He urged those spreading such allegations to withdraw them or provide evidence.
The organisation confirmed that the pupils who escaped were traced through communication with their parents. “We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,” the statement added.
The development comes days after suspected terrorists invaded the school and abducted hundreds of pupils, students, and staff.
CAN had described the incident as a severe attack on the community, prompting widespread concern across the country and beyond.
Meanwhile, during his Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV expressed deep sadness over the abductions in Nigeria and Cameroon. He called for the immediate release of all hostages and prayed for the safety of churches and schools, stating: “I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages.
“Let us pray for these brothers and sisters and that churches and schools may always and everywhere remain places of safety and hope.”
As part of the update released by CAN, the association published the names of the fifty pupils who escaped captivity.
The list includes:
Samson Bitrus
Emmanuel Francis
Amos Mathew
Timothy Peter
Ayuba Victor
Bulus Emmanuel
Bulus Samaila
Caleb Hosea
Catherine Emmanuel
Christopher Ezekiel
Dominic Daniel
Dominic Elisha
Elisha Harunna
Elisha Yakubu
Ezekiel Emmanuel
Ezekiel Joel
Ezekiel Pius
Ezra James
Friday Joel
Gloria Jeremiah
Godiya Mathew
Iliya Philip
Ishaya David
Joseph Sunday
Julius Paul
Justina Adamu
Keziah Musa
Lawrence James
Lawrence Yohanna
Marcus Bulus
Mariam Joshua
Mathew Dauda
Micah Luka
Michael Jacob
Musa Timothy
Naomi Bulus
Nicodemus Ibrahim
Peter Jonathan
Pricillia Peter
Emmanuel Godwin
Samaila Dauda
Stephen Anthony
Sunday Shedrack
Veronica Iliya
Victoria Ishaku
Vincent Emmanuel
Wisdom Fabian
Yakubu Saminu
Yunusa Musa
Yusuf Sunday
Also, CAN reiterated its commitment to supporting ongoing rescue efforts and maintaining communication with affected families.
Bishop Yohanna encouraged communities not to lose hope and to remain united in prayer and cooperation with authorities. “We urge everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we collaborate with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of all abductees,” he said.
The association maintained that it would continue to provide verified information as efforts intensify to bring home the remaining abducted pupils, students, and staff.
Sounds good. We hope to hear about others to be in safe condition by God’s Grace.