The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 50 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, have escaped and reunited with their families.

The development comes days after armed terrorists invaded the school and abducted a total of 303 pupils, students, and staff, an incident earlier reported by Tribune Online, which later put the updated figure of abducted persons at 315, including 12 teachers.

In a statement issued in Minna by his media aide, Prince Dan Atori, the CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said the escaped children fled between Friday and Saturday but returned directly to their homes rather than the school premises. School officials later verified their return through the pupils’ parents.

“We were able to ascertain this when we contacted and visited some parents,” the statement noted.

Providing details of those still unaccounted for, Rev. Yohanna, who is also the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora and proprietor of the school, explained that the primary school has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students.

According to him, aside from the 50 children who escaped and the 141 who were not abducted during the attack, a total of 236 primary pupils, three children belonging to staff, 14 secondary school students, making 253 children, along with 12 staff members remain in captivity.

While expressing relief over the return of the escaped pupils, the CAN chairman called for sustained prayers and calm.

“We receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, but I urge you all to continue in your prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said.

He added that CAN and the school management are working closely with security agencies, community leaders, government officials, and other stakeholders to ensure the safe release of those still held by the abductors.

Most Rev. Yohanna prayed for divine intervention, asking God to grant swift freedom to the remaining captives and protection for the entire community.