50 abducted Niger Catholic school students escape from captivity

50 of the more than 300 students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State have escaped from kidnappers’ den.

The Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed this in a statement issued by Daniel Atori, the media aide to CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, on Sunday.

Atori said the students escaped between Friday and Saturday.

He stated: “We have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents.

“The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.

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“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.

“Note that, in the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders.

“Currently, aside the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.”

It was gathered that over 300 students were abducted when bandits invaded the Catholic school on Friday.

Although initial report said 227 people were taken against their will on Friday, CAN put the total number of victims abducted by bandits at 315.

The Star