Niger School Abduction Toll Rises to 315 — CAN Chairman Debunks ‘Prior Warning’ Claims

The number of victims abducted by suspected terrorists from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, has increased from 227 to 315, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter.

Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, released the updated figure in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Daniel Atori, following a verification exercise and a final headcount. The victims include 303 students and 12 teachers.

Yohanna said additional 88 students were discovered missing after parents reported that their children—earlier believed to have escaped—had not returned home. “We conducted further inquiries and a census, only to find that these children were also abducted,” he explained.

The chairman clarified that the total school population stands at 629, comprising 430 primary pupils and 199 secondary school students.

Addressing reports that the school had been warned beforehand to shut down due to security threats, the cleric dismissed the claim as “propaganda” aimed at shifting blame. He insisted that neither the government nor security agencies issued such a notice.

“We asked the Education Secretary, and he confirmed there was no circular. The National Association of Private Schools also said they received none,” Yohanna said, adding that allegations that the school had recently been shut and reopened were false.

He further refuted claims that Reverend Sisters managing the school travelled to Abuja prior to the attack, calling the reports “misleading and unfounded.”

Yohanna urged the public to remain calm and prayerful, assuring that the Church is working closely with government authorities, security operatives, and community leaders to ensure the safe rescue of all abducted students and staff.