No fewer than 50 students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have escaped from captivity, heightening both relief and urgency as over 250 others remain in the hands of armed bandits.
The mass abduction, which occurred last Friday when bandits stormed the school hostel and whisked away 315 pupils, triggered nationwide condemnation and a renewed spotlight on Nigeria’s deepening insecurity crisis.
In a statement yesterday, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, confirmed the escape. He said the children regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday and “quietly reunited with their families,” prompting the school to begin contacting parents for verification.
According to him, 50 pupils have returned home, 141 were never taken, while 253 children—including 236 pupils, 14 secondary students, three staff children, and 12 staff members—remain with the abductors.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, we urge continued prayers and support for the safe return of all remaining victims,” Bishop Yohanna appealed.
The cleric urged families and communities to remain calm as security agencies intensify operations to rescue the remaining abductees.
38 Kwara Church Worshippers Freed After Five Days
In a related development, 38 congregants abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku in Ekiti LGA of Kwara State have regained their freedom after five days in captivity.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, announced the development, attributing the successful rescue to the “hands-on approach” of President Bola Tinubu and heightened deployments by national security agencies.
According to a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary Rafiu Ajakaiye, Tinubu personally supervised efforts to free the abductees and even cancelled his scheduled G20 trip to South Africa to coordinate internal security operations.
Tinubu: ‘I Will Not Relent Until Every Nigerian Is Safe’
Reacting to the two breakthroughs, President Tinubu expressed excitement over the return of the 50 Niger pupils and the 38 Kwara worshippers. Posting via his X handle late Friday, the President said he is receiving continuous updates from security forces at the frontline.
“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety, and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he said.
Tinubu on Friday night held a briefing with the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, and later convened an extended security meeting with military and police chiefs at the State House.
Pope Leo XIV Calls for Immediate Release of Over 300 Abducted Students
As global concern rises, Pope Leo XIV yesterday issued a heartfelt appeal demanding the immediate release of more than 300 kidnapped students and teachers from the Niger school.
“I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students in Nigeria and Cameroon,” the Pontiff said, urging the international community to join him in calling for their urgent freedom.
Military Probes Alleged Troop Withdrawal Before Kebbi School Abduction
Amid growing public scrutiny, the Defence Headquarters announced a full investigation into claims by Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris that terrorists struck a girls’ school just 30 minutes after troops were withdrawn despite earlier intelligence warnings.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the military is reviewing all troop movements and will take “immediate corrective action” if any lapses are found.
The military also condemned the abductions in both Kebbi and Niger States, assuring the public of intensified operations to dismantle terror cells targeting schools and vulnerable communities.
Niger Governor Calls for Harsher Penalties on Informants
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has warned that informants are enabling bandit attacks across the state. Visiting the Emir of Borgu to commiserate over the Papiri school abductions, Bago urged stricter penalties for collaborators and called for stronger community cooperation with security agencies.
“Security agents cannot do it alone. All of us must join hands to wage total war against these enemies,” he said.
The Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro IV, lamented that “bandits have taken over the Borgu forest,” urging immediate intervention.
Olanipekun Faults FG for Failing to Expose Terrorism Sponsors
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, criticised the federal government for failing to publicly name and prosecute sponsors of terrorism.
Speaking in Ekiti during his annual scholarship and empowerment programme, Olanipekun argued that shielding financiers of insecurity emboldens criminals and weakens public trust.
“Why are we deceiving ourselves? Why are we afraid to name those who are waging war against this country?” he queried, insisting that Nigeria does not require foreign intervention to restore order if it acts decisively.
Borno Confirms Abduction of 13 Female Farmers
In Borno State, Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Askira confirmed the abduction of 13 female farmers in Askira-Uba LGA by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP militants. One victim escaped, while 12 remain missing.
Senator Ali Ndume and the deputy speaker urged intensified rescue operations.
Bandits Kill Bauchi Cleric, Kidnap His Wife and Daughter
In Bauchi State, bandits killed Islamic cleric Alhaji Muhammad Bakoshi and abducted his wife—who recently gave birth—and their daughter. The attack in Toro LGA has left the community in fear as security agencies race to trace the kidnappers.
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