Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have regained freedom after escaping from their captors and reuniting with their families.
The development was confirmed on Sunday by the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, in a statement issued by his media aide, Daniel Atori.
“This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the statement read.
According to the diocese, 236 pupils remain in captivity, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary school students, bringing the total number still held to 253 pupils and 12 staff.
Yohanna appealed for sustained intercession as efforts continue to secure the release of those still in custody.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge everyone to continue in prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said.
A separate document signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Joseph, provided the names of the 50 pupils who returned home:
Samson Bitrus
Emmanuel Francis
Amos Mathew
Timothy Peter
Ayuba Victor
Bulus Emmanuel
Bulus Samaila
Caleb Hosea
Catherine Emmanuel
Christopher Ezekiel
Dominic Daniel
Dominic Elisha
Elisha Harunna
Elisha Yakubu
Ezekiel Emmanuel
Ezekiel Joel
Ezekiel Pius
Ezra James
Friday Joel
Gloria Jeremiah
Godiya Mathew
Iliya Philip
Ishaya David
Joseph Sunday
Julius Paul
Justina Adamu
Keziah Musa
Lawrence James
Lawrence Yohanna
Marcus Bulus
Mariam Joshua
Mathew Dauda
Micah Luka
Michael Jacob
Musa Timothy
Naomi Bulus
Nicodemus Ibrahim
Peter Jonathan
Pricillia Peter
Emmanuel Godwin
Samaila Dauda
Stephen Anthony
Sunday Shedrack
Veronica Iliya
Victoria Ishaku
Vincent Emmanuel
Wisdom Fabian
Yakubu Saminu
Yunusa Musa
Yusuf Sunday
The mass abduction of 303 pupils and staff last week prompted the Niger State Government to order the closure of all schools across the state on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
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