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, the chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN and Catholic bishop of Kontagora diocese, Mr Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the pupils regained freedom between Friday and Saturday and “quietly reunited with their families”.
Recall that in the wee hours of Friday, armed bandits had stormed the school and kidnapped hundreds of students and some other staff as well as killing the Vice Principal. CAN had initially given the number of abductees as 227, comprising 215 pupils and students, including 12 teachers, but in a fresh statement, the group updated the number to 315.
Now, Mr Yohanna 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.
“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.”
Mr Yohanna appealed for continued prayers and calm as efforts to secure the release of the remaining abductees continue.
“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.
Also, a spokesperson for the school, Mr Daniel Atori, said the students hid in the bush to escape their captors, while local farmers helped others return home, according to a statement on Sunday.
More than 250 students and teachers from the primary school remain in captivity.