Fifty of the more than 300 children abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area, have escaped from their captors, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The children fled between Friday and Saturday and have since reunited with their families.
Daniel Atori, media aide to the Niger CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, confirmed the development on Sunday.
“We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents.
“They could not return to the school after they fled, but we were able to confirm their return home after speaking with their parents, ” he said.
Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, has been coordinating verification efforts.
Bishop Yohanna urged the public to remain calm and prayerful, emphasising continued collaboration with security agencies and government officials.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some relief, I urge you all to continue praying for the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
“We are actively working with security operatives, community leaders and relevant authorities.”
Updated Breakdown of Victims
The latest census conducted by the diocese shows:
1. 430 pupils in the primary section
377 boarders
53 day students
Current situation:
50 pupils escaped
141 pupils were not taken
236 primary pupils, 3 staff children, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers remain in captivity
Total abducted: 315, according to CAN (higher than earlier reports of 227)
An earlier attempt to account for those missing revealed that 88 additional students had also been captured as they tried to escape during the attack.
The CAN Chairman also addressed circulating claims that the school had been warned ahead of the attack.
“There was no circular, no verbal warning, no communication from the government or security agencies.
“Any claims that the school was alerted beforehand are false and appear to be an attempt to shift blame, ” he said.
He stressed that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not any private individual, and dismissed rumours that any Reverend Sisters had travelled to Abuja before the attack.
More than 300 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped on Friday when terrorists stormed the St. Mary’s school premises in broad daylight, forcing students out of classrooms and hostels before marching them into surrounding forested areas.
Images from the campus show empty dormitories, scattered belongings and abandoned classrooms in the wake of the attack.
