Tension Soars As Hidden Truths About Niger School Pupils’ Kidnap Come To Light

Fresh information has emerged regarding the mass abduction of pupils and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to AIT.live, the school’s Principal, Felicia Gyang, and Head Teacher, Blessing Amupitan, reported hearing a helicopter overhead during the attack. They added that the abductors used vehicles and motorcycles to move the children out of the school without any resistance.

The teachers also revealed that some of the attackers were overheard saying, “They should abduct the children so that they can have money.”

As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and no ransom has been demanded for the release of the pupils and staff.

Meanwhile, parents and relatives of the 239 abducted pupils and 12 teachers protested at the school premises, begging the government to intervene and secure the safe return of their loved ones.

Some parents, overwhelmed with grief—especially those who lost more than one child—could not speak extensively. One of them, 35-year-old Samson Najajah, whose 15-year-old son was taken, recalled being kidnapped himself in 2021.

“The terrorists refused to accept naira as ransom and insisted on Cefa,” he told Daily Post, saying he fears what the children may be facing now.

A teacher, Martha Mathias, recounted how her five-year-old daughter unknowingly saved her from being captured, though her husband was abducted alongside the students.

Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and owner of the school, expressed hope that the abducted children and teachers would be rescued unharmed.