Niger State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced that 315 people, made up of 303 students and 12 teachers, were taken during the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwarra LGA.
Gatekeepers News reports that the gunmen reportedly stormed the school in the early hours of Friday,!November 21 and carried out the mass abduction.
CAN had earlier released a lower figure of 227 abductees, listed as 215 pupils and students, including 12 teachers. However, Bulus Yohanna, CAN chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, explained in a new statement that the numbers increased significantly after a thorough verification exercise.
He said, “After leaving the school, we made calls and enquiries on those we initially thought had escaped, only to discover that 88 more students were captured after trying to flee.”
According to the association, the school accommodates 629 learners in total, with 430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary section.
A follow-up statement from Daniel Atori, spokesperson to Bishop Yohanna, dismissed circulating claims that the school was warned ahead of the attack by government or security officials.
He said, “We did not receive any circular or warning. In 2022, when there were rumours of security challenges, we shut down immediately without waiting for any government directive.”
The Bishop further rejected allegations that reverend sisters travelled to Abuja in connection with the incident, insisting that anyone making the claim must provide evidence.
Bishop Yohanna assured parents and the wider public that CAN is working in collaboration with authorities to secure the release of everyone abducted.
He added, “We call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we continue to collaborate with all relevant authorities for a quick and safe return of our children and teachers.”
