The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State says it has not received any official communication confirming reports that about 100 students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri have been freed.
In a statement on Monday, the state chairman of CAN, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, said neither the association nor the affected communities had been formally informed of any releases.
“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return,” he said. “If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified. We hope and pray it’s true and look forward to when the remaining will be released.”
The mass abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, when armed men invaded the school and kidnapped 315 individuals—303 students and 12 teachers. About 50 pupils managed to escape within the first 24 hours and were later reunited with their families.
Last week, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the school, assuring worried parents that the remaining captives were alive and that efforts to secure their return were ongoing.
Reacting to widespread media reports of the purported release during a Channels Television programme on Sunday, former Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche (retd.), praised the Federal Government and security agencies for what he described as a major milestone.
“My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this,” he said. “I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out.”