CAN Confirms 303 Students Abducted in Niger State School Attack
In a harrowing update, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed that 303 students, along with 12 teachers, were abducted by gunmen from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
This figure emerged after a detailed verification exercise and a final census conducted by CAN following the initial report.
During their investigation, the association discovered that 88 additional students, previously believed to have escaped, were in fact captured when attempting to flee.
The total number of abducted persons now officially stands at 315, comprising 303 pupils and 12 staff members.
The attack took place in the early hours, between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., according to the CAN chairman in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna.
He strongly rejected claims that the school had received prior government warnings to shut down. According to Bishop Yohanna, “neither the school nor the Catholic Diocese ever received any circular” telling them to cease operations.
CAN has expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it “distressing and unacceptable,” and is collaborating closely with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities in hopes of a safe and swift rescue of the abducted.
In response, the Northern States Governors’ Forum has urged security forces to intensify search and rescue operations. The forum’s chairman, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the abduction as a grave violation of children’s safety.
They also called for stronger intelligence systems and stricter measures to safeguard schools in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to the abduction, particularly why St. Mary’s School resumed operations despite a prior directive to keep boarding schools in the region closed. In a statement, the government reiterated that it had issued a security order suspending activities in boarding schools across the volatile zone, but said that St. Mary’s reopened without seeking its clearance.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, which runs the school, has condemned the raid in the strongest terms. In a memo, the diocese said a security guard was shot during the attack, and that local and national security agencies are working to free the captives.
As the community reels from shock and grief, CAN has called on parents and the public to remain calm and continue praying for the safety of the abducted children and staff. The group emphasized its commitment to doing “everything possible” to secure their release.
