Fifty pupils abducted during last week’s attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, have escaped from their captors and safely returned home, according to an update from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state.
The development comes after a verification exercise conducted by the Niger State CAN leadership, which sought to confirm the true status of students affected by the mass abduction that occurred on Friday, November 21, 2025. During the attack, suspected bandits forcibly took away more than 300 pupils, prompting widespread concern and a statewide mobilization of prayers, security efforts, and community support.
According to the association, the 50 pupils who regained freedom managed to flee from the bush where they were being held between Friday and Saturday. After escaping, they immediately sought out their families, choosing not to return to the school premises due to fear and trauma. CAN officials, who visited several homes for physical confirmation, reported that the children were reunited with their parents safely and are currently receiving care.
The new figures released by the association also highlighted the scale of the incident. Out of the 430 children enrolled in the primary section, 377 are boarders while 53 are day students. CAN explained that alongside the 50 who escaped, 141 pupils were confirmed not to have been abducted during the attack. However, the association expressed deep concern for the large number still in captivity.
Based on the latest verification, a total of 236 primary pupils, three children belonging to staff members, 14 students from the secondary section, and 12 staff members remain with the abductors—bringing the confirmed number of people still in captivity to 253.
The update was delivered through the office of the Niger CAN Chairman, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the affected school. He urged the public to remain calm and continue praying for the safe rescue of the remaining captives.
While expressing gratitude for the unexpected return of the 50 pupils, he emphasised the need for sustained support, noting that the situation remains extremely delicate. He assured the public that the school management and the diocese are in active collaboration with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe return of every remaining victim.
He called for unity, patience, and persistent intercession, praying for divine protection for the children still in the den of their abductors and for wisdom for the security forces pursuing rescue operations.
In a separate update, the Catholic Diocese confirmed the identities of the 50 pupils who escaped. Efforts are ongoing to verify additional information as families continue to report the status of their children.
The mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Schools has drawn national attention due to the unusually high number of victims. While initial estimates placed the figure at 227, subsequent checks revealed that as many as 315 persons—mostly schoolchildren—were taken by the attackers.
Security operations have since intensified in the area, as communities, religious bodies, and government agencies rally in pursuit of a coordinated rescue effort.
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