Niger CAN confirms a shocking rise in Papiri school abductions, updating the tally to 315 victims after verification

The number of pupils and teachers abducted from St Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State has risen dramatically, with the Christian Association of Nigeria confirming a total of 315 victims.

Also read: NANS warns of rising insecurity threatening Nigerian schools

In an updated account released on Saturday, Niger CAN confirms that 303 students and 12 teachers remain in captivity after fresh verification.

The abduction, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, initially recorded 215 pupils and 12 teachers taken when armed men stormed the St Mary’s Catholic School.

However, a detailed headcount and follow-up calls to parents revealed that 88 additional students had been seized while attempting to escape.

Most Rev Bulus Yohanna, Chairman of Niger State CAN, disclosed the revised figures through his media aide, Daniel Atori.

He said the final tally emerged after painstaking checks on students initially believed to have fled safely.

According to the Bishop, the school community only realised the scale of the crisis when parents reported missing children who had previously been accounted for.

This prompted a full census that confirmed the higher number.

He also addressed widespread claims that the institution had ignored prior security warnings. Yohanna firmly dismissed the rumours, insisting neither the school management nor the National Association of Private Schools received any directive from government or security agencies to shut down ahead of the attack.

He added that the school had a track record of complying promptly with security advisories, citing its 2022 temporary closure during an earlier threat.

The Bishop clarified further misinformation, stating that contrary to speculation, no Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja prior to the incident. He urged those spreading the claims to provide evidence or retract them.

The school currently has an enrolment of 629 learners, comprising 430 pupils in the primary arm and 199 in the secondary.

Calling for calm, Yohanna appealed for collective prayers and assured the public that the Church is working closely with security agencies, local leaders and relevant authorities to secure the safe return of all abductees.