The Christian community in Niger State is reeling from a devastating update as the number of pupils, students, and teachers abducted from St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri has been revised sharply upwards.
Revised Headcount Reveals Higher Abduction Toll
Following a fresh verification exercise, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has announced that the number of abductees has risen to 315. This shocking update, issued on 22 November 2025, came after renewed checks and reports from distressed parents.
The initial headcount was proven inaccurate when further enquiries revealed that 88 additional students were seized after they attempted to escape during the brutal attack. Parents who initially believed their children had fled to safety later returned to report them missing, prompting the urgent and heartbreaking recount.
The official breakdown of the revised figure now stands at 303 students and 12 teachers, comprising four females and eight males. The schools, which have a combined enrolment of 629 pupils, were horrifically targeted, with 430 from the primary section and 199 from the secondary section now living in fear for their loved ones.
Catholic Church Firmly Denies Receiving Prior Warning
In a strong rebuttal to claims circulating in some quarters, the CAN Chairman has categorically denied that the school received any prior warning from government or security agencies to shut down before the attack occurred.
"That is not true, we did not receive any circular," Bishop Yohanna stated emphatically. He described these reports as an "after thought and a way to shift blame," labeling them as propaganda designed to mislead the public about the Church's actions.
To underscore the institution's commitment to safety, he pointed to a precedent from 2022, when the school "shutdown immediately" upon hearing rumours of a security challenge. He questioned the logic of the allegations, asking, "Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shutdown that we will now not obey?"
Official Channels Confirm No Directive Was Issued
The Church's denial is backed by checks with relevant authorities. Bishop Yohanna revealed that both the Education Secretary and the National Association of Private Schools confirmed they did not receive any such circular or verbal directive suggesting imminent danger or recommending a school closure.
"We have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular he said no; or if he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he also said no," the statement read. The Church has challenged those making the claims to provide concrete proof of the alleged warning.
Furthermore, the statement dismissed as false the allegation that any Reverend Sisters from the school, which is owned by the Catholic Diocese, had travelled to Abuja prior to the incident.
Amid the anguish, Bishop Yohanna has urged parents and community members to remain calm, assuring them that the Church is actively working with government authorities, security agencies, and local leaders to secure the safe release of all abductees. He expressed hope for their return and asked for the continued prayers of the nation.
