About 50 of the kidnapped students in Niger State escape from their abductors

ABOUT 50 of the students kidnapped by terrorists from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State have escaped from their abductors and have been reunited with the families in a development that has lifted spirits in the area.

On November 21, armed bandits stormed the school and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers, kidnapping a total of 315 persons. In a development similar to what happened at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in 2014, St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, is now the focus of national attention.

Of recent, there has been a spate of kidnapping across Nigeria as on Monday, armed men attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State and abducted at least 25 students. During their brutal attack, they killed vice principal, Mallam Hassan Makuku, before seizing the students from their hostel.

Their attack was then followed by an assault on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. So bad has the situation been that President Bola Tinubu had to abandon a planned trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to address the issue, given the anxiety among the families of the abducted victims.

Providing some ray of hope, Reverend Bulus Yohanna, the chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, explained that the pupils escaped between yesterday and today. Reverend Yohana, who is also the proprietor of the school and the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, called on everyone to remain calm and prayerful, adding that there is a collective effort being exerted by  security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

Reverend Yohanna said: "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.

“For the records, we now have 251 primary school pupils, 14 secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors. 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.

“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 three children who belong to our staff, 14 secondary students making a total of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.

 “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."