Fifty students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State have escaped from captivity and reunited with their parents, bringing a rare moment of relief in a tragedy that has shaken the nation. The latest update was announced by the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Proprietor of the school and the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese.
The school had been attacked on 21 November 2025 when armed bandits stormed the premises and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers, making a total of 315 victims. The large-scale kidnapping was one of the biggest mass abductions in the state, continuing a troubling trend of attacks on schools across northern Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Minna by his media aide, Daniel Atori, the CAN chairman confirmed that the pupils escaped on Friday and Saturday but did not return to the school after gaining freedom. Instead, they headed straight home, and the school authorities only confirmed the escapes after contacting families.
“This is to notify the public that, as at Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we have received some good news as fifty pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the statement said. “We were able to ascertain this when we decided to contact and visit some parents.”
Reverend Yohanna provided a detailed update on the number of students and teachers still in captivity. According to him, 251 primary school pupils, 14 secondary school students, and 12 teachers remain with the abductors.
He explained that in the primary section alone, the school has a total enrolment of 430 pupils. Out of these, 377 are boarders who live on campus, while 53 are day students who commute from home. He noted that aside from the 50 pupils who successfully escaped, 141 primary pupils were not abducted during the attack.
“As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 secondary students, making a total of 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors,” he said.
The update shows the scale of the tragedy and the weight of the ongoing crisis. Families in the community remain anxious as they wait for news on the safe return of their children.
The escape of the 50 children has brought some hope, but the community remains overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. Many families in Agwara and neighbouring communities have barely slept since the attack. Parents gather daily around the school premises, local churches, and the divisional police office seeking information that could help bring their children home.
The attack on St. Mary’s is the latest in a series of mass kidnappings targeting schools in northern Nigeria, a pattern that began to intensify in 2021 when criminal gangs discovered the financial and political leverage, they could gain through ransom abductions. These gangs, often referred to as bandits, have attacked schools in states such as Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara, abducting hundreds of children over the years.
The Catholic Church in Niger State has long raised concerns about insecurity, especially in remote communities where many schools operate with minimal or no security presence. Schools in rural areas are often vulnerable due to poor roads, lack of police patrols, and limited communication networks.
Sources in Niger State say that security agencies, including local vigilante groups, hunters, and military units, have increased search and rescue operations across forests that stretch into neighbouring states. The terrain is difficult, and the abductors are believed to be heavily armed and spread across multiple camps.
Reverend Yohanna confirmed that he and other church leaders remain in close communication with security operatives. “We assure continuous active collaboration with security operatives, community leaders, government, and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees,” he said.
He also called for calm, urging families to remain prayerful and hopeful. “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children that escaped with some sigh of relief, I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he added.
Nigeria has witnessed a rise in mass kidnappings, especially in states located along the North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones. The trend began gaining international attention after the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno State. Since then, bandits and extremist groups have carried out dozens of school kidnappings.
In 2021 alone, more than 1,000 schoolchildren were abducted across northern Nigeria. While some were rescued by security agencies, many were released after ransom payments, a practice the government has publicly condemned but struggled to curb.
Niger State, where St. Mary’s Catholic School is located, has emerged as one of the states with frequent attacks due to its vast landmass and proximity to forests used as hideouts by criminal groups. Communities in Rafi, Shiroro, Munya, Mariga, and Agwara have suffered repeated attacks, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
As of the time of this report, the Niger State Government is yet to issue a detailed update on the escape of the 50 students. However, earlier statements from the government urged residents to avoid panic and assured the public that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
Civil society organisations and religious groups, including CAN, have repeatedly called for stronger security measures in schools. Many stakeholders argue that school safety policies must be fully implemented to prevent further tragedies.
Parents in Papiri told reporters that the escape of some children gives them hope, but they remain deeply worried about those still in captivity. “We are happy for those who have come back, but we cannot rest until all our children return,” one parent said.
The return of the 50 pupils has brought welcome relief, but Niger State remains in mourning. As families celebrate the small victories, they continue to pray for more good news. Community members are holding daily prayer sessions, while volunteers assist in counselling families and supporting search efforts.
