Controversy Over Freedom Of 50 Abducted Catholic School Pupils Escape, Reunite With Families

…They Escaped – CAN, They Were Recovered- Presidency

Controversy has erupted over how 50 out of the over 315 school children of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Niger State, got their freedom.

In a statement, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger and Proprietor of the school, confirmed the escape and return of 50 of the students on Sunday in an update signed by his media aide, Mr Daniel Atori.

Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday but did not return to the school.

He said their return was confirmed during visits and calls to the affected families.

Yohanna explained that the primary section of the school has 430 pupils, comprising 377 boarders and 53 day pupils.

He said that aside from the 50 pupils who escaped, 141 pupils were not taken away during the attack.

He added that 236 pupils, three children of staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 members of staff remain in captivity bringing the total number of those still with the abductors to 253.

However, President Bola Tinubu in a post on his X handIe contradicted the  Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese on how the school children got their freedom.

According to Tinubu, the school children were recovered, though he didn’t give details. He said: “I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered.

“I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.

“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”