The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, and the proprietors of the abducted pupils’ school have expressed cautious optimism over widespread media reports claiming the Federal Government secured the release of 100 pupils kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
As of Monday morning, the school authorities and the state’s Christian leadership stated they had not received any official notification from federal or state authorities confirming the release, leaving parents and the public in a state of hopeful anxiety.
Multiple Nigerian and international media outlets, citing security and UN sources, reported on Sunday that 100 children were freed two weeks after the November 21 attack on St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, during which 315 people (303 students and 12 teachers) were seized.
Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, stated through his media aide, Daniel Atori, that while they are praying the news is true, “we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified by the federal government.”
Local sources, however, noted significant security convoy movements on Sunday evening through New Bussa towards Wawa, where the released children were reportedly brought out of the forest for medical evaluation at an Air Force base.
The reported release only partially resolves the crisis, highlighting the immense task still facing security agencies.
Initially, approximately 50 pupils managed to escape in the hours following the initial attack however, following the widely reported release of 100 pupils, approximately 153 students and all 12 teachers are still believed to be held captive by the bandits. The total number of people still in captivity remains high, maintaining the pressure on the government.
The unconfirmed release follows a visit by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, last week, who reassured the families and school authorities that the abducted children were safe and would be returned soon.
The lack of an immediate, official statement from federal authorities regarding the details of the release, whether achieved through military force, negotiation, or ransom, adds to the confusion and frustration experienced by the anxious parents.
