The number of students and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, has risen to 315, according to the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Gunmen had stormed the Catholic school in the early hours of Friday, initially believed to have taken 215 pupils and 12 teachers. But after a full headcount and verification, CAN confirmed that an additional 88 students were discovered missing—raising the total number of abducted students to 303, alongside 12 teachers.
Niger CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, disclosed the updated figure in a statement on Saturday through his media aide, Daniel Atori. He said the new number emerged after parents came forward to report missing children previously thought to have escaped.
Read Also: North risks stagnation without urgent unity, development reforms, says Atiku
“After leaving the school, we made calls and conducted a verification exercise. We later discovered that 88 more students were captured while attempting to flee. This came to light when parents, whose children we believed were safe, made inquiries,” the statement said.
The Bishop noted that St. Mary’s has a total enrolment of 629 pupils—430 in the primary school and 199 in the secondary—making the abduction one of the largest school attacks recorded in recent years.
Addressing reports that the school ignored government directives to shut down, he insisted no such circular or warning was received by the school management or the National Association of Private Schools.
“Contrary to rumours, neither the school nor the Association received any directive from the government or security agencies. This appears to be an afterthought aimed at shifting responsibility,” he added.
He also dismissed claims that some Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja and ignored warnings, describing the allegations as baseless.
Yohanna urged residents to remain calm, assuring that CAN is working closely with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities to secure the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.
“We remain prayerful and committed to ensuring the quick and safe release of all victims. May the Lord protect His people and grant the captives freedom,” he said.
