Abduction Toll at St. Mary’s School, Niger State, Rises to 315, CAN Denies Prior Warning

The total number of victims abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, has risen from 227 to 315, comprising 303 students and 12 teachers.

The update was provided by Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, through a statement released by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori, following a verification exercise and final census.

Rev. Yohanna dismissed claims that the school had received prior warnings from the government, calling such reports “propaganda” aimed at shifting blame. He explained that 88 additional students were discovered to have been abducted after initially thought to have escaped.

“Our attention was drawn when some parents, whose children we had thought escaped, came asking about them. Upon further verification, we discovered that they had also been captured,” he said.

He noted that the school has a total enrollment of 629 pupils, with 430 in primary and 199 in secondary school. Addressing allegations of prior notice, Rev. Yohanna stated:

“I just returned from visiting the school and meeting parents to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to rescue our children. Yet, I was met with claims that the school received prior warning via a circular from the government. That is false. We did not receive any circular, nor were any of our staff verbally informed. Such statements are misleading and should be retracted or supported with evidence.”

Rev. Yohanna also clarified that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not by individuals, and denied claims that any Reverend Sisters traveled to Abuja related to the matter.

He urged the public to remain calm and prayerful while assuring continuous collaboration with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe and speedy return of all abducted students and staff.