Catholic Diocese Confirms Release Of All 230 Abducted St Mary’s School Pupils, Staff In Niger State After Month-Long Ordeal
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has officially confirmed the release and safe reunification of all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The confirmation brings closure to a traumatic incident that occurred on November 21, 2025, when gunmen stormed the boarding school, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over school safety in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese disclosed that a comprehensive reconciliation and verification exercise established that a total of 230 individuals were abducted during the attack. The verified figure includes 204 pupils, 14 students, and 12 staff members. The Bishop confirmed that all those affected have now regained their freedom and have been reunited with their families, stressing that no individual remains missing.
The Diocese explained that initial reports following the abduction cited conflicting figures due to panic, confusion, and the chaotic nature of the attack. An early headcount suggested that 315 persons were unaccounted for. However, further clarification revealed that many pupils had escaped into nearby bushes or returned home independently. By November 23, the number of missing persons had reduced to 265, and a final reconciliation confirmed that 85 individuals were never abducted.
Bishop Yohanna emphasised that the discrepancies were not deliberate or intended to mislead the public but were a result of the emotionally charged and rapidly evolving situation. He noted that some pupils could not be immediately verified because their parents were absent during the initial headcount.
The Diocese expressed deep gratitude to the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the abducted pupils and staff. The successful rescue operation, also confirmed by officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ended weeks of anxiety for families and the wider community, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to combat school abductions and insecurity in Nigeria.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has officially confirmed the release and safe reunification of all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The confirmation brings closure to a traumatic incident that occurred on November 21, 2025, when gunmen stormed the boarding school, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over school safety in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese disclosed that a comprehensive reconciliation and verification exercise established that a total of 230 individuals were abducted during the attack. The verified figure includes 204 pupils, 14 students, and 12 staff members. The Bishop confirmed that all those affected have now regained their freedom and have been reunited with their families, stressing that no individual remains missing.
The Diocese explained that initial reports following the abduction cited conflicting figures due to panic, confusion, and the chaotic nature of the attack. An early headcount suggested that 315 persons were unaccounted for. However, further clarification revealed that many pupils had escaped into nearby bushes or returned home independently. By November 23, the number of missing persons had reduced to 265, and a final reconciliation confirmed that 85 individuals were never abducted.
Bishop Yohanna emphasised that the discrepancies were not deliberate or intended to mislead the public but were a result of the emotionally charged and rapidly evolving situation. He noted that some pupils could not be immediately verified because their parents were absent during the initial headcount.
The Diocese expressed deep gratitude to the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the abducted pupils and staff. The successful rescue operation, also confirmed by officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ended weeks of anxiety for families and the wider community, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to combat school abductions and insecurity in Nigeria.
Catholic Diocese Confirms Release Of All 230 Abducted St Mary’s School Pupils, Staff In Niger State After Month-Long Ordeal
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has officially confirmed the release and safe reunification of all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The confirmation brings closure to a traumatic incident that occurred on November 21, 2025, when gunmen stormed the boarding school, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over school safety in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese disclosed that a comprehensive reconciliation and verification exercise established that a total of 230 individuals were abducted during the attack. The verified figure includes 204 pupils, 14 students, and 12 staff members. The Bishop confirmed that all those affected have now regained their freedom and have been reunited with their families, stressing that no individual remains missing.
The Diocese explained that initial reports following the abduction cited conflicting figures due to panic, confusion, and the chaotic nature of the attack. An early headcount suggested that 315 persons were unaccounted for. However, further clarification revealed that many pupils had escaped into nearby bushes or returned home independently. By November 23, the number of missing persons had reduced to 265, and a final reconciliation confirmed that 85 individuals were never abducted.
Bishop Yohanna emphasised that the discrepancies were not deliberate or intended to mislead the public but were a result of the emotionally charged and rapidly evolving situation. He noted that some pupils could not be immediately verified because their parents were absent during the initial headcount.
The Diocese expressed deep gratitude to the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the abducted pupils and staff. The successful rescue operation, also confirmed by officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ended weeks of anxiety for families and the wider community, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to combat school abductions and insecurity in Nigeria.
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