The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed the release and reunification of all abducted pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a press statement dated 25 December 2025 and signed by the Bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Diocese said a total of 230 pupils and staff were verified to have been abducted and subsequently rescued after a comprehensive reconciliation and verification exercise.
According to the statement, those abducted comprised 12 staff members, 14 students, and 204 pupils, all of whom have now regained their freedom through the combined efforts of the Nigerian government and security agencies.
The Diocese confirmed that all rescued children have been successfully reunited with their families, with no individual currently reported missing.
Providing clarification on earlier figures, the Bishop explained that immediately after the abduction on Friday, 21 November 2025, an initial headcount showed 315 persons were unaccounted for. By Sunday, 23 November, it was confirmed that 50 persons had either escaped or reunited with their parents, reducing the figure to 265.
A joint verification exercise involving the Niger State Government, security agencies, and school authorities later identified further discrepancies. A second and final verification, conducted with the Parents–Teachers Association (PTA), established that an additional 35 persons had either not been abducted or had escaped earlier.
“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 Diocese attributed the discrepancies to the chaotic nature of the incident, noting that some pupils fled into nearby bushes and did not immediately return, while some parents were absent during the early stages of verification.
The Bishop stressed that the inconsistencies were not intended to mislead the public or cause panic, but rather reflected the challenges of managing a fast-moving and emotionally charged situation.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government, Niger State Government, security agencies, and other stakeholders for their interventions. It also thanked parents, guardians, the Christian community, the media, and the general public for their prayers, patience, and support.
The statement concluded by committing all affected families to God for healing, restoration, and lasting peace, while acknowledging the collective efforts that led to the safe return of the pupils and staff.
