The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed that 50 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have regained their freedom and returned safely to their families.
The students were reportedly taken during a midnight attack on the school last week. According to Tori News, the children managed to escape between Friday and Saturday, though they did not immediately return to the school premises.
Speaking on the development, the Niger State CAN chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the school administration verified the escape after contacting parents.
“The children found their way home on their own,” Yohanna explained. “School officials then conducted verification visits to confirm their safe return. The pupils, frightened and disoriented after fleeing through the night, went straight to their homes rather than returning to the school compound.”
The full list of the 50 pupils who escaped includes:
Samson Bitrus, Emmanuel Francis, Amos Mathew, Timothy Peter, Ayuba Victor, Bulus Emmanuel, Bulus Samaila, Caleb Hossa, Catherine Emmanuel, Christopher Ezekiel, Dominic Daniel, Dominic Elisha, Elisha Haruna, Ezekiel Yakubu, Ezekiel Emmanuel, Ezekiel Samuel, Ezekiel Plus, Ezra James, Femi Peter, Gloria Jeremiah, Godiya Mathew, Ibiya, Ishaaya David, Joseph Sunday, Julius Paul, Justina Adamu, Keziah Musa, Lawrence James, Lawrence Yohanna, Marcus Bulus, Mariam Joshua, Mathew Dauda, Micah Luka, Michael Jacob, Musa Timothy, Naomi Bulus, Nicodemus Ibrahim, Peter Jonathan, Priscilla Peter, Emmanuel Godwin, Samaila Dauda, Stephen Andrew, Sunday Shadrach, Victoria David, Victoria Ishaku, Vincent Emmanuel, Yahaya Sani, Yakubu Saminu, Yunusa Musa, Yusuf Sunday.
CAN officials have urged continued vigilance to ensure the safety of students and staff, while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction.