Fifty students who were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State’s Agwara Local Government Area, have managed to free themselves.
Early on Friday morning, armed men stormed the school, shooting a security guard and kidnapping over 200 kids and staff members, including 13 teachers and non-teachers.
The school’s owner and chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, had previously stated that 215 pupils and 12 employees had been kidnapped.
However, by Saturday, he claimed that 88 more pupils were missing.
But in a statement released on Sunday, November 23, by his assistant Daniel Atori, the Reverend said that the students who had escaped on Saturday had since been reunited with their families.
The message said, “This is to inform the public that as of Sunday, November 23, 2025, we have received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents.”
Rev. Yohanna said the school operates both boarding and day sessions.
According to him, the primary section has 430 pupils, out of which 377 are boarders and 53 day pupils.
“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not taken. As it stands now, 236 pupils, three children belonging to staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff members remain with the abductors.”
Yohanna appealed for continued prayers and calm as efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims continue.
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 added.
