In a developing security situation that has left families in anguish, approximately 50 schoolchildren managed to escape captivity following a bandit attack on a Catholic school in Niger State. The incident has created widespread panic and uncertainty as authorities struggle to determine the exact number of missing pupils.
Official Confirms Information Blackout
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed during an AriseTV interview on November 25, 2025 that officials face significant challenges in accounting for all students. The confusion stems from both the chaotic nature of the attack and restricted access to information from school authorities.
"When the bandits arrived, the students fled in panic, some ran to their homes," Onanuga explained. "Authorities remain uncertain about the actual number of missing students. The bishop instructed the school principal not to speak with security officials. They are not releasing the names and numbers of the missing children."
Church Leadership Restricts Communication
According to the presidential adviser, the bishop overseeing the educational institution had directed the principal to avoid engagement with security agencies. This decision has effectively created an information barrier, preventing authorities from accessing crucial details about the missing children, including their identities and exact numbers.
The communication restriction has complicated rescue and verification efforts, leaving security operatives working with limited information as they attempt to establish the full scope of the incident.
Mixed Relief Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
While the escape of around 50 schoolchildren brought temporary relief to affected families and the broader community, significant concerns persist regarding how many pupils remain unaccounted for. The situation highlights the volatile security environment in educational institutions across Niger State and neighboring regions.
Official investigations continue despite the information challenges. The lack of cooperation from school authorities has emerged as a major obstacle in determining the precise impact of the attack and coordinating an effective response.
Police Response Contradicts Earlier Reports
Adding to the confusion, the Niger State Police Command has stated it cannot verify the reported escape of 50 abducted children from St. Mary's Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. Police Commissioner Adamu Abdullahi Elleman indicated that efforts to obtain clarification from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have been unsuccessful.
According to police statements, the only students confirmed safe are those who managed to escape during the initial attack, raising questions about the exact number of children who successfully fled captivity versus those who might still be missing or in danger.
This incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing educational institutions in northern Nigeria, where bandit attacks have repeatedly disrupted learning environments and created lasting trauma for students, families, and communities.
