The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has officially published the complete list of 265 individuals abducted during the recent attack on St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.
Attack Details and Initial Confusion
Armed gunmen stormed the educational institution located in Agwara Local Government Area on November 21, 2025, initially taking 315 people hostage according to early reports from the Catholic Diocese. The victims included 303 students and 12 teachers from both primary and secondary sections of the school.
However, in a positive development, the Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that 50 students managed to escape between Friday and Saturday following the attack. These students have since been reunited with their families, bringing hope to the community amid the tragedy.
Official Victim List Released
The newly released document contains 265 names of those still held captive by the armed assailants. According to the breakdown provided by the Diocese, the list includes 12 teachers, 14 secondary school students, and 239 primary school pupils.
The Diocese explained that publishing the comprehensive list serves multiple purposes: assisting authorities in rescue operations, helping families track their loved ones, and enabling humanitarian organizations to coordinate relief efforts. Church officials have urgently called on the government to expedite action to secure the immediate release of all remaining captives.
Breakdown of Abducted Individuals
The victims' names were systematically organized according to their roles within the school community. The list includes teachers, secondary school students, and primary school pupils with their class groups clearly indicated for verification purposes.
Among the youngest victims were numerous nursery school children, including Natherniel Andrew and Shalom Terry from Nursery 1, highlighting the tender age of some captives. Primary school students from various classes were also among those taken, ranging from Primary 1 to Primary 5.
The teaching and non-academic staff abducted include Bitrus Yohanna, Cyril Bagudu, Mercy Yohanna, and several support staff members who were present during the attack.
Community and National Response
The Christian Association of Nigeria has strongly condemned the abduction, describing the incident as "distressing and unacceptable." CAN emphasized the need for immediate government intervention to ensure the safe return of all victims.
This latest mass kidnapping has reignited concerns about school safety in northern Nigeria, where educational institutions have repeatedly become targets for armed groups. The attack on St. Mary's Catholic Schools represents one of the largest school abductions in recent months, putting additional pressure on security agencies to address the growing security challenges in the region.
Local communities and religious organizations have mobilized support for the affected families while calling for intensified security measures around educational facilities across Niger State and neighboring regions.
