One Week After Raid, Terrorists Still Holding 265 Pupils and Teachers in Niger

In one of the most alarming mass kidnappings in the North-Central area in recent memory, 265 teachers and students are still missing more than a week after gunmen invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State.

In an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, November 28, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora, Bulus Yohanna, revealed the new headcount and confirmed that 253 students and 12 teachers are still listed as missing in the Kontagora Diocese’s records.

According to reports, the attack was the most recent in an increasing number of kidnappings targeting youngsters in the North-Central, bringing back horrific memories of mass kidnappings that have plagued local communities for a long time.

Yohanna described how the diocese traced escapees following the incident, stating that a validated headcount at the kidnapping scene led to the first declaration of 315 teachers and pupils as missing.

303 kids and students were absent, and 12 teachers were also missing. The Bishop stated, “We added that number to make it 315 that cannot be accounted for after taking the headcount.”

He clarified that the diocese had to recalculate its count using parents’ verified phone confirmations after several hostages managed to flee and eventually made contact with their families.

According to him, “those who escaped returned home to their villages.”

We were able to collect 50 out of the 315, including staff and teachers who could not be located, when we began calling individuals who had rejoined with their parents. We subtracted that amount, thus as of right now, the number that is missing is 265.

Yohanna affirmed that the diocese has legally sent Niger State Governor Umar Bago the confirmed identities of the missing educators and kids for tracking and coordination of rescue efforts at the state level.

The Bishop also revealed that two parents have died as a result of the incident’s shock, which tragically adds to the suffering endured by families who are still waiting for updates.

More than 300 children and employees from the Catholic-owned establishments were reportedly taken by the gunman, some of whom were only out of nursery school.

CAN Calls for Increased School Security
Yohanna, who also serves as the chair of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s Niger State chapter, called for the prompt deployment of security personnel to Niger State’s educational institutions and community centers.

He requested that the federal government increase proactive school security, especially for rural regions that are at risk and have insufficient police presence.

He emphasized, calling for immediate action, “forwarded names for action, not politics.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded to the kidnapping issue on Thursday by announcing a state-sponsored manhunt for the criminals and directing national security forces to locate, apprehend, and free all individuals who are still in captivity throughout the nation.

The president issued an order for rescue, disruption, and arrest and reiterated that terrorists would not be allowed to take over Nigerian land while he was in office.

According to reports, 38 worshippers were taken from a church in Kebbi and Kwara States, while 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from another institution during the same week. Tinubu declared national security to be a national emergency priority as a result of the widespread, simultaneous attacks.