JUST IN : Dozens of abducted schoolchildren return home after escape – Niger CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger has announced that 50 students taken from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA, have managed to escape from their captors.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of CAN in Niger state and Catholic bishop of the Kontagora diocese, said the children regained their freedom between Friday and Saturday and “quietly reunited with their families”.

According to Yohanna, the pupils did not return to the school after escaping, prompting officials to reach out to parents for confirmation.

“The pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents as they could not return to the school after they escaped,” the statement reads.

He added that checks were conducted to verify the status of all pupils.
“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.

“Note that, in the primary section out of the total number of 430 pupils we have in the school, 377 of them are boarders and the remaining 53 others are non boarders.

“Currently, aside from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away.

“As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.”

Yohanna appealed to the public for calm, urging continued prayers as authorities work to secure the release of those still in captivity.

“We urge everyone to remain calm and prayerful as we collaborate with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to ensure the safe and swift return of all abductees,” he added.