The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 50 Niger Catholic school students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools have escaped their captors and have been reunited with their families.
It was gathered that the 50 Niger Catholic school students regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday, returning home quietly and individually.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the 50 Niger Catholic students were part of a group of over 300 pupils, students, and teachers kidnapped in an attack on the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
The escape of the 50 Niger Catholic students was confirmed by Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Chairman of the Niger State chapter of CAN and the Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, in the statement issued on Sunday.
The statement reads in part: “The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped.
“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 are non-boarders.
“Currently, aside from 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 of 253 children, including 12 members of staff, with the abductors.”
Yohanna appealed for continued support and calm as efforts intensify to secure the release of the remaining abductees.
“We urge everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we collaborate with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of all abductees,” he added.
Meanwhile, a group, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the national chapter of Transparency International Nigeria, has criticised the recent mass kidnappings across the country.
In a statement issued by CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of Transparency International (Nigeria), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation warned that what he described as an “uncoordinated and politicised” security strategy by the government is deepening instability and leaving millions of citizens, especially children, exposed to avoidable danger.
Rafsanjani noted that the Nigerian Army remains heavily deployed across nearly all states despite constitutional provisions that place primary responsibility for internal security on the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The CISLAC chief also described the recent abductions in Kebbi State and the kidnapping of pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger State, as “direct assaults on education and the future of Nigerian children.”
Expressing concern about the increasing politicisation of law enforcement, he cited recent incidents in Abuja in which police officers were seen supporting rival political factions, as well as cases where large numbers of officers were assigned to individuals instead of communities. According to him, such developments reflect weakened police leadership and embolden irresponsible political behaviour.
The statement added: “CISLAC and Transparency International (Nigeria) called for comprehensive security sector reforms focused on accountability, intelligence gathering, upgraded equipment, improved welfare, professional conduct, and stronger interagency coordination. Rafsanjani also urged the government to adopt effective early warning and early response mechanisms, noting that many attacks occur despite clear warning signs.”
