The number of students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, has risen to 315, with 303 students and 12 teachers taken captive.
The attackers, who arrived on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van, stormed the school around 3-4 am, shooting the gatekeeper and leaving him seriously injured.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the updated figure after a verification exercise and census, revealing that 88 more students were captured while trying to escape.
CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, denied claims that the school received prior warning from the government, calling it “propaganda” and an attempt to shift blame.
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges due to rising security concerns.
The government assures that efforts are being made to secure the safe return of the abductees, and authorities are working closely with security agencies and community leaders.
