The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it has not received any official confirmation regarding reports that 100 students kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, have been released.
In a statement on Monday, the state CAN chairman, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, said neither the association nor the affected communities had been formally informed of any development.
“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return,” he said. “If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified. We hope and pray it’s true and look forward to when the remaining will be released.”
The mass abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, when armed bandits invaded the school and took 315 people—303 students and 12 teachers. About 50 pupils escaped within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families.
Last week, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited the school and assured parents that the remaining abductees were safe and would soon return home.
Reacting to reports of the alleged release during a Channels Television programme on Sunday, former Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche (retd.), praised the Federal Government and security agencies, describing the development as a “significant breakthrough.”
“My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this,” Enenche said. “I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out.”
