The Niger State community has been plunged into deeper mourning as another parent of abducted students from St. Mary's Catholic School has died, just hours after a father of three kidnapped children succumbed to a heart attack.
Tragedy Strikes Grieving Parents
Armed bandits attacked and kidnapped several students from the Catholic school located in Papiri village, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident has left families devastated and now facing additional tragedy.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the heartbreaking news through his media aide, Daniel Atori, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
Double Loss for Community
According to reports from Vanguard, one of the deceased parents, Anthony Musa, died from a heart attack while grieving for his three abducted children. The second victim is a female parent whose identity remains unknown as authorities have been unable to reach her family.
Bishop Yohanna, who also serves as proprietor of the affected school, expressed the community's profound sorrow, stating: "The man, Anthony Musa, died of heart attack, but the female we don't have the details yet because we couldn't get the family."
Deepening Crisis in Niger State
The consecutive deaths have intensified the grief-stricken atmosphere in the community already grappling with the trauma of the school abduction. The tragic development highlights the severe psychological impact such security incidents have on families and communities across Niger State.
The bandit attack on St. Mary's Catholic School represents another concerning episode in the security challenges facing educational institutions in northern Nigeria, raising urgent questions about student safety and the emotional toll on affected families.
