Parents decry government neglect as 265 pupils and teachers from St Mary Catholic Schools, Niger State, remain in captivity eight days after their abduction
Officials said that parents decry government neglect as fear, frustration, and anguish continue to rise among families of the 265 abducted pupils and teachers of St Mary Catholic Schools in Niger State, eight days after the mass kidnapping.
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Over 200 distressed parents gathered at the school premises on Saturday to register their names and those of their missing children a process the government reportedly ordered while lamenting that no state official had visited or reached out to them since the incident.
A total of 303 pupils and 12 teachers were initially taken when armed bandits invaded the private primary and secondary school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, penultimate Friday.
Fifty children later escaped, but 265 remain in captivity, heightening the families’ despair.
Carrying placards reading “Bring Back Our Girls”, “Is Education a Crime?”, and “We Need Security in Agwarra”, parents accused the state government of ignoring their pain and failing to acknowledge the gravity of the attack.
Rev. Fr. Stephen Okafor, Director of Communication for the Diocese, explained that the registration exercise was necessary following the government’s request, saying many parents travelled for hours on motorcycles to comply.
Another priest, Fr. Linus Arege, confirmed that over 215 parents had already registered under official supervision.
Some parents expressed disappointment that government officials reportedly claimed the abduction never happened.
Dimas Joseph Mauhuta, whose son Julius was kidnapped, said: “The truth is that my child and others were abducted.
The government should act and come to our aid instead of saying what is not true.”
Another parent, Emmanuel Ejeh, described the attack as unprecedented in the school’s history, noting that two of his older children had graduated safely in earlier years.
Catholic Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, said the Church remained hopeful despite receiving no updates on the children’s whereabouts eight days after the attack.
He appealed for continued prayers and support from Nigerians and the international community.
The school’s principal, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyam, dismissed rumours that the school received prior warnings, insisting no such information existed.
Meanwhile, the headmistress, Sister Blessing Amodu, tearfully expressed her devastation, pleading with authorities and all concerned individuals to intensify efforts to rescue the pupils and staff.
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“Our children are still not back. All I am pleading for is help for the government and everyone touched by this tragedy to find a way to rescue them,” she said, her voice breaking.
