A Nigerian father has tragically died from a heart attack after learning that bandits had abducted his three children during the mass kidnapping at St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The devastating news was confirmed by Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern Region and the FCT.
Mass Abduction at Catholic School
Armed bandits invaded St Mary's Catholic School in Agwara Local Government Area on Monday, abducting 303 students, pupils, and 12 teachers in one of the largest school kidnappings in recent memory. The attack has sent shockwaves through communities across Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara states, with families living in intense fear since the incident.
Rev. Hayab identified the deceased father as Mr. Anthony, who suffered a fatal heart attack upon learning that his three children were among those taken by the bandits. "Imagine a mother or a father whose daughter, one of the parents (Mr Anthony) of these girls picked in the school, died yesterday of a heart attack because three of his children are victims," Hayab told ARISE News on Tuesday.
Trauma and Security Concerns
The CAN chairman described the profound trauma affecting parents and the community. Many parents are too frightened to speak publicly about their children's abduction, with the pain and trauma still very fresh. "We tried speaking to the parents today, and they were scared of speaking to us. It was a very sad thing," Hayab revealed.
He painted a distressing picture of the children's conditions, noting that "these children have not slept, they have not bathed, and their parents cannot even explain where they are." The emotional toll on families has been immense, with parents experiencing unimaginable anguish not knowing their children's whereabouts or conditions.
Security Response and Escapes
Concerns have been raised about the security response following the incident. Local residents reported no clear security presence after the abduction, leaving families feeling vulnerable and demanding concrete action from security agencies.
In a small glimmer of hope, 50 senior students managed to escape between Friday and Saturday after fleeing into the bush during the initial attack. However, more than 265 children remain missing, their families enduring what Hayab described as "a traumatic week for parents, for leaders and for our security men."
The CAN chairman welcomed the recent release of 24 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State but emphasized that much more needs to be done to address the escalating security crisis affecting educational institutions across northern Nigeria.
