Relief swept through Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday as no fewer than 50 pupils earlier abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School reportedly escaped from captivity and reunited with their families.
The development comes days after armed bandits invaded the school on November 21, 2025, and whisked away 303 students and 12 teachers, bringing the total number of abducted victims to 315.
Confirming the update, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna — who is also the proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese — said the escapees returned home between Friday and Saturday. The statement was issued in Minna by his media aide, Daniel Atori.
He explained that the pupils made their way home after fleeing captivity and did not return to the school premises, prompting officials to trace and confirm their arrival through visits to affected families.
“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.”
According to him,
“This is to notify the public that, as at Sunday 23rd November, 2025 we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents.
We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,” the statement disclosed.
He added that 251 primary school pupils, 14 secondary school students and 12 teachers were still being held.
Providing further breakdown, the bishop said:
“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.”
He continued:
“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away.
As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors,” the CAN chairman stated.
Yohanna appealed to the public to remain calm and prayerful, assuring that the church and school authorities were working closely with security agencies, community leaders and government officials to secure the safe return of all victims.
He added:
“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,” Bishop Yohanna added.