The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN in Niger state says fifty schoolchildren abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA, have escaped from captivity.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN and Catholic bishop of Kontagora diocese.
According to him, the pupils found their way out between Friday and Saturday and quietly returned to their families.
He explained that the children could not return to the school after they escaped, but were later traced when officials contacted and visited parents.
“The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped,” he said.
He said the discovery was made after reaching out to families to verify the whereabouts of the children. Yohanna added that the primary section has a total of 430 pupils, out of which 377 are boarders, while 53 are day students.
He said that aside from the fifty children who returned home, 141 pupils were not taken during the attack.
He noted that those still in captivity include 236 pupils, three children belonging to staff members, fourteen secondary school students, and twelve workers.
“As it stands, we have 236 pupils, another three children who belong to our staff, fourteen secondary students and twelve members of staff with the abductors,” he said.
Yohanna appealed for calm as efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining abductees.
“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 said.
