The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that there has been no communication from the kidnappers who abducted hundreds of pupils and teachers from St Mary's Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of Niger State CAN, revealed this concerning development during an interview with Channels Television on Friday, November 28, 2025.
The Attack and Revised Abduction Figures
The terrifying incident occurred in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when armed gunmen stormed the school premises. The attackers shot a security guard before forcing their way into the school compound and abducting numerous pupils and teachers.
Initial reports had indicated that 215 pupils and 12 teachers were missing. However, following a comprehensive verification exercise conducted by security operatives, community leaders, and diocesan officials, the total number of abducted persons was significantly revised upward to 315 individuals, comprising 303 pupils and 12 teachers.
In a small ray of hope, fifty pupils have managed to escape from their captors and have since reunited with their families. This leaves 265 individuals still unaccounted for and presumed to be in captivity.
Detailed Account of the Attack
Bishop Yohanna provided a chilling narrative of how the events unfolded. "I think the first attempt was to see if they could break through where the sisters are living. That didn't happen," he recounted.
The bishop explained that the assailants were unable to breach the convent area after the gateman informed them that the sisters didn't reside on the premises. "So they shot him and then forced the gate open," Yohanna stated.
The gunmen then attempted to force gates separating the convent from the school before eventually gaining access to the dormitories. "They shot into the air, and everyone was scared. So many of them tried to escape, or many escaped into the bushes around," the CAN chairman described the chaotic scene.
He added that "at the end of the day, they were able to make their way with some of them, and we don't know the exact number of pupils, students, and teachers taken away" during the initial confusion.
Security Measures and Parental Trauma
Responding to claims that the school had received prior warnings about a potential attack, Bishop Yohanna acknowledged that rumors had circulated in 2021/2022 about a possible school attack.
"So what we did was to shut down the school immediately. We reinforced the security system there, relocated students who were to write their final exams to Kontagora, and built the security fence," he explained the comprehensive security measures implemented at that time.
The bishop emphasized that "since then, we have not had anything—no verbal warning, no written warning—until this incident happened."
Yohanna confirmed ongoing communication with security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kontagora, to whom he has forwarded most of the detailed information about the incident. The police have also requested statements from the sisters involved.
Regarding the emotional state of the parents, the CAN chairman expressed deep concern: "Of course, they are traumatised and worried. We are praying and hoping that by the grace of God, their children will be released. Everyone is traumatised."
While his diocese has taken significant steps to improve security at the institution, Bishop Yohanna stressed that the broader issue of school safety in Niger State and across Nigeria remains a pressing concern that requires urgent attention from authorities at all levels.
