Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly escaped from their captors and reunited with their parents.
The development was confirmed on Sunday by the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, in a statement issued by his media aide, Daniel Atori.
“This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the statement said.
Yohanna noted that 236 pupils, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary students, along with 12 staff members, are still in captivity, making a total of 253 children and staff yet to be rescued.
He appealed for continued prayers for the safe release of the remaining victims. “As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge everyone to continue in prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said.
The Diocesan Secretary, Rev Fr. Jatau Joseph, also released a list of the 50 pupils who have returned home, which includes Samson Bitrus, Emmanuel Francis, Amos Mathew, Timothy Peter, Ayuba Victor, Bulus Emmanuel, Bulus Samaila, Caleb Hosea, Catherine Emmanuel, Christopher Ezekiel, Dominic Daniel, Dominic Elisha, Elisha Harunna, Elisha Yakubu, Ezekiel Emmanuel, Ezekiel Joel, Ezekiel Pius, Ezra James, Friday Joel, Gloria Jeremiah, Godiya Mathew, Iliya Philip, Ishaya David, Joseph Sunday, Julius Paul, Justina Adamu, Keziah Musa, Lawrence James, Lawrence Yohanna, Marcus Bulus, Mariam Joshua, Mathew Dauda, Micah Luka, Michael Jacob, Musa Timothy, Naomi Bulus, Nicodemus Ibrahim, Peter Jonathan, Pricillia Peter, Emmanuel Godwin, Samaila Dauda, Stephen Anthony, Sunday Shedrack, Veronica Iliya, Victoria Ishaku, Vincent Emmanuel, Wisdom Fabian, Yakubu Saminu, Yunusa Musa, and Yusuf Sunday.
The abduction, which involved 303 pupils and staff, prompted the Niger State Government to close schools statewide on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
The situation continues to draw concern from parents, authorities, and religious leaders as efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims intensify.
