50 Abducted Niger Catholic School Students Escape From Captivity — CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has announced that 50 students abducted by terrorists from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, have successfully escaped from captivity.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the CAN state chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that the students regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday and “quietly reunited with their families.”
The pupils were among scores of students seized when armed men invaded the Catholic-run institution earlier this month, sparking widespread outrage and renewed calls for improved security in vulnerable rural communities.
Bishop Yohanna described the escape as “a great relief for the Church and families who have been in anguish since the abduction,” while expressing gratitude for the safe return of the children. He, however, refrained from providing detailed circumstances of the escape, citing security reasons and ongoing efforts to ensure the release of other captives.
He called on the government and security agencies to intensify operations to secure all remaining victims and to protect schools across the state from further attacks.
Niger State has recorded multiple school abductions in recent years, particularly in remote communities bordering forests where armed groups operate with ease. The latest incident adds to growing public concerns over the safety of students in northern Nigeria.
