Tragedy as Father of 3 Abducted Niger Schoolchildren Dies of Heart Attack

A sombre mood has enveloped Papiri community in Niger State following the death of a man whose three children were among the students abducted from a local Catholic school last week.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that the distraught father died of a heart attack after receiving news that his children were among the victims. According to the CAN chairman, the tragedy occurred shortly after the mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School, where armed men stormed the premises and whisked away scores of pupils and staff. The father, identified by community sources as Mr. Anthony, reportedly collapsed after learning that all three of his children had been taken during the attack. CAN leadership described the incident as a heartbreaking reflection of the intense trauma families are facing. “The pressure and emotional pain were too heavy for him to bear,” the chairman said, adding that many parents have been living in fear, sleepless nights, and constant anxiety since the kidnapping. The Papiri abduction has once again highlighted the ongoing security crisis in the region, where mass kidnappings have become increasingly frequent. Community leaders said the emotional toll on families is worsening, with parents uncertain about the fate of their children and demanding stronger government action. Security agencies have intensified search-and-rescue operations, but the number of abducted pupils still in captivity remains unclear. Residents continue to appeal for swift intervention, emphasising that the death of Mr. Anthony underscores the human cost of Nigeria’s unchecked kidnapping epidemic. Family members, clergy, and neighbours have called for prayers and support, urging authorities to prioritise the safe return of the children and prevent further tragedies. The community is now mourning not only the missing children but also a father who, overwhelmed by grief and fear, did not live to see them return home.