Mass Abduction at Niger School
In a harrowing incident that has shaken the educational community in Niger State, armed attackers stormed St. Mary's Catholic Private School in Papiri during the early hours of Friday. The assailants shot a security guard before abducting more than 289 pupils and 14 students, along with 12 teaching and non-teaching staff members.
Fifty Students Successfully Escape
Between Friday and Saturday, a significant development occurred as 50 of the abducted students managed to escape from captivity. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State first reported this encouraging news, which was later confirmed by official sources.
Hon. Iliyasu Zakari, the Chairman of Agwara Local Government Council, working in coordination with the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, has officially released the names of all fifty students who successfully escaped their captors.
Bello Gidi, the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the escaped students have since reunited with their parents.
Community Relief and Ongoing Efforts
The statement from the local government expressed profound relief at the safe return of these children and acknowledged the collaborative efforts that made their escape possible. "This encouraging development brings relief to the community, and we appreciate the efforts of the security agencies, local vigilantes, and community members who have been working tirelessly since the incident occurred," the official statement read.
Rev. Fr. Jatua Luka Joseph, Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, provided additional details in a separate statement, explaining that the students escaped between Friday and Saturday. Interestingly, the escaped children did not immediately return to the school premises. Instead, the diocese confirmed their safe return through follow-up visits and calls from their families.
Hon. Zakari expressed deep gratitude to God for the safety of the children and assured the public that every necessary step is being taken to secure the release of the remaining students still held captive.
The local government council remains fully committed to supporting security operations until all abducted children are safely returned to their homes. Authorities have called on residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and report any useful information that could assist the ongoing rescue efforts.
This incident highlights the continuing security challenges facing educational institutions in some regions of Nigeria, particularly in the northern parts of the country where school abductions have become increasingly concerning.
