Presidency Slams CAN Chair: “We Don’t Know What Game He’s Playing” Over Niger School Kidnappings

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga has accused Bulus Yohanna, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, of obstructing efforts to address the abduction of students from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time, Onanuga alleged that Yohanna was deliberately withholding critical information about the incident. He claimed the CAN chairman’s actions were hindering authorities from establishing the exact number of students who were abducted.

Onanuga rejected Yohanna’s earlier assertion that 51 students had been rescued, insisting that those students were never captured in the first place. “I learned that when the bandits attacked at night, the students scattered in panic, and some simply ran back to their homes,” he said.

He added that the government remains uncertain about the true number of missing students due to the lack of cooperation from both the school and religious authorities. “The authorities are in the dark about how many students are actually missing. The Niger State Governor requested a list of the abducted students, but up to now, I don’t understand what game the CAN chairman is playing. They are refusing to collaborate with the government, and even the security operatives don’t know why the names haven’t been released,” Onanuga stated.

He further alleged that Rev. Yohanna had instructed the school principal not to communicate with security personnel, complicating ongoing rescue operations. “The CAN chairman in Niger told the principal not to engage with the security forces,” Onanuga said.