A parent of one of the students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, has died due to complications linked to emotional trauma.
Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Region and Federal Capital Territory, confirmed on Channels Television on Tuesday that the deceased, Mr. Anthony, suffered a fatal heart attack just hours after three of his children were kidnapped.
“One of the parents of the abducted children d!ed yesterday of a heart attack. Mr. Anthony d!ed following the abduction of his three children,” Hayab said.
The cleric urged the public to focus on the gravity of the situation rather than speculating or misinterpreting reports. “People don’t understand that when you tell it as it is, you’re not speaking against anybody. You are only trying to state the problem,” he said.
Rev. Hayab added that parents and school officials remain too traumatized to speak to the media. “The pains, the trauma, are still very fresh. We tried speaking to the parents today, and they were scared of speaking to us,” he explained.
In a glimmer of hope, the school confirmed that 50 pupils managed to escape from the abductors’ forest hideout. Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, proprietor of St. Mary’s, verified their safe return to their homes.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” the statement said, signed by Daniel Atori, Media Aide to the bishop.
According to the school, 251 primary pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers are still in the custody of the abductors. Prior to the attack, the primary section had 430 pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 non-boarders. After the escape, 236 pupils, three staff children, 14 secondary students, and 12 staff remain missing.