The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State says 50 students abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA, have escaped from captivity.
In a statement on Sunday, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the pupils regained freedom between Friday and Saturday and quietly reunited with their families.
He said the pupils who escaped were unable to return to the school immediately, but were traced after officials contacted and visited some parents.
“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.
“We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents,“
He further stated: “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 urged the public to continue praying and remain calm as efforts to free the remaining abducted pupils continue.RN
