By SUNTV Global Channel
December 25, 2025
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has officially confirmed the safe release and reunification of all pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, bringing a painful chapter to a close more than a month after the incident.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese announced that a comprehensive reconciliation and verification exercise has established that all 230 persons abducted during the November 21 attack have now regained their freedom and been reunited with their families.
According to the Diocese, the abducted victims comprised 204 pupils, 14 students, and 12 staff members, all of whom have been accounted for, with no individual remaining missing.
Why the Numbers Changed
The Bishop explained that the reconciliation exercise was necessary due to conflicting figures that circulated in the immediate aftermath of the abduction, which occurred amid widespread panic and confusion.
He recalled that an initial headcount suggested 315 individuals were missing shortly after the attack. However, as clarity improved, it became evident that many pupils had escaped into nearby bushes during the chaos, while others were mistakenly listed as missing because their parents were not immediately available for verification.
By November 23, the figure dropped to 265, after 50 individuals were confirmed to have escaped or reunited with their families independently. A final verification later confirmed that 85 persons were never abducted, leaving the total number of abducted victims at 230.
“In summary, out of the initial 315 persons reported missing, 85 were confirmed to have either escaped or not been abducted, bringing the verified total number of abducted persons to 230,” the statement said.
The Bishop stressed that the discrepancies were neither deliberate nor intended to mislead the public, but rather reflected the difficulties of managing an emotionally charged and rapidly evolving situation involving children.
Appreciation to Government, Security Agencies
With the reconciliation process concluded, the Diocese expressed profound gratitude to the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and security agencies, describing their interventions as crucial to the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and staff.
Earlier reports confirmed that the final batch of 130 victims was released, completing the rescue operation. Officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) also confirmed the development, marking a major breakthrough after weeks of anxiety for families and the Papiri community.
Nationwide Relief, Renewed Concerns
The abduction on November 21, 2025, when gunmen stormed the boarding school, sparked nationwide outrage and once again raised serious concerns about the safety of schools across Nigeria.
While relief now spreads among affected families, the incident has renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect educational institutions, especially in vulnerable communities.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on security and education across Nigeria.
