The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern Region and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. John Hayab, has disclosed that a parent died from a heart attack after three of his children were abducted at St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview with ARISE News, Hayab recounted the emotional anguish families in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states have endured following a series of school kidnappings within the past week.
He said the deceased parent, identified as Mr Anthony, could not cope with the shock of losing his children to bandits. “People want to see concrete action. Imagine a mother or father whose daughter… one of the parents of these girls, Mr Anthony, died yesterday of a heart attack because three of his children are victims,” Hayab said.
Hayab stressed that his comments were not political but aimed at highlighting the gravity of the situation. “The pains and the trauma are still very fresh. We tried speaking to the parents today, and they were scared of talking to us,” he added.
Earlier reports indicated growing desperation among the families of the abducted pupils in Niger State. Hayab described the emotional toll on affected parents: “You can imagine a man in shock because three children… he would not know what to explain, what is happening to them.”
He emphasised the harsh reality faced by the missing children. “These children have not slept, they have not bathed, and their parents cannot even explain where they are,” he said.
According to Hayab, local residents in Niger State reported that there was no visible security presence in the affected areas. He urged security agencies to prioritize decisive action over public statements.
“The onus is now on the Nigerian security agencies. People want to see concrete action, not television commentary,” he noted.
He also confirmed that 50 senior students managed to escape by fleeing into the bush during the attack, but more than 265 pupils—mostly aged nine to 14—remain missing.
On November 23, the Niger State CAN Chairman announced that 50 abducted pupils had reunited with their families after escaping from captivity.
Hayab welcomed the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, but warned that the recurring attacks have left many families traumatised and exposed persistent failings in Nigeria’s security architecture.
Presidential media aide Bayo Onanuga confirmed their release in a statement on Tuesday. “Everybody is worried, everybody is angry, everybody needs a stop. It has been a traumatic week for parents, for leaders and for our security men,” Hayab said.
He insisted that Nigeria has the manpower to effectively tackle insecurity if security personnel are properly deployed. “A large chunk of those who are supposed to secure Nigerians are securing VIPs. Many police officers are guarding banks. Banks should recruit their own security,” he argued.
“When proper deployment is done, we will be able to get rid of these things. We have what it takes, but we are not deploying it.”
In a related development, the Nigeria Police Force’s Special Protection Unit has ordered all officers attached to VIPs nationwide to return to their bases. This follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive on November 23 ordering the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to VIP protection across the country.
