Fifty students abducted from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly escaped and been reunited with their families, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The school was targeted in the early hours of Friday when armed assailants stormed the premises, shooting a security guard and abducting more than 200 students along with 13 staff members.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the school’s proprietor and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, had earlier stated that 215 students and 12 staff were initially kidnapped. By Saturday, 88 pupils remained unaccounted for.
In a statement issued through his aide, Daniel Atori, Rev. Yohanna confirmed that fifty of the students had escaped on Saturday and were safely reunited with their parents.
The school runs both boarding and day sessions. The primary section alone has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students.
“Aside from the 50 pupils who have returned home, 141 pupils were not taken. Currently, 236 pupils, three children of staff, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff members remain with the abductors,” Rev. Yohanna said.
He called for continued prayers and calm as security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities work to secure the release of the remaining students.
“We urge everyone to stay calm and prayerful as we collaborate with security agencies to ensure the safe and swift return of all abductees,” he added.