Papiri, Niger State – Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, have reportedly escaped from their captors and reunited with their families.
The development brings a glimmer of relief amid the ongoing abduction crisis that has left hundreds still in captivity.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, through a statement issued by his media aide, Daniel Atori.
“This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the statement read.
Bishop Yohanna urged continued prayers for the safe release of the remaining pupils and staff. “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge everyone to continue in prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said.
According to a document signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev Fr. Jatau Joseph, the full list of pupils who have returned home is as follows:
- Samson Bitrus
- Emmanuel Francis
- Amos Mathew
- Timothy Peter
- Ayuba Victor
- Bulus Emmanuel
- Bulus Samaila
- Caleb Hosea
- Catherine Emmanuel
- Christopher Ezekiel
- Dominic Daniel
- Dominic Elisha
- Elisha Harunna
- Elisha Yakubu
- Ezekiel Emmanuel
- Ezekiel Joel
- Ezekiel Pius
- Ezra James
- Friday Joel
- Gloria Jeremiah
- Godiya Mathew
- Iliya Philip
- Ishaya David
- Joseph Sunday
- Julius Paul
- Justina Adamu
- Keziah Musa
- Lawrence James
- Lawrence Yohanna
- Marcus Bulus
- Mariam Joshua
- Mathew Dauda
- Micah Luka
- Michael Jacob
- Musa Timothy
- Naomi Bulus
- Nicodemus Ibrahim
- Peter Jonathan
- Pricillia Peter
- Emmanuel Godwin
- Samaila Dauda
- Stephen Anthony
- Sunday Shedrack
- Veronica Iliya
- Victoria Ishaku
- Vincent Emmanuel
- Wisdom Fabian
- Yakubu Saminu
- Yunusa Musa
- Yusuf Sunday
While the return of these 50 pupils is a relief, the school still has 236 pupils in captivity, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary students, bringing the total number of remaining abducted children and staff to 265.
The incident prompted the Niger State government to close schools statewide on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
