315 People Now Reported Abducted From Niger Catholic School, Says CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, has confirmed that 315 individuals are now reported missing after gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State. This revised number comes after a “verification exercise and final census” conducted by church authorities following the initial reports.

According to Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who serves as both the CAN chairman for Niger State and the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, the updated figure includes 303 students (both boys and girls) and 12 teachers. He explained that some of the additional students were captured while attempting to escape, a fact revealed only after further inquiries with parents who had earlier assumed their children fled safely. Before the attack, the school reportedly had an enrollment of 629 pupils and students — 430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary.

In a strong rebuttal to allegations that the school was warned by government or security agencies before the abduction, the Diocese dismissed the claims. They stated that no circulars or official warnings were received, calling such claims “propaganda” meant to shift blame. The Bishop also emphasized that the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese, not by any private individual.

The Diocese expressed deep concern and pledged to continue working with security agencies, community leaders, and the government to secure the safe return of the abducted. What are your thoughts on this tragic update? What more should be done to prevent such attacks on schools? Share your views in the comments.

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