Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed that a total of 265 people are still being held by the armed group that invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Nursery, Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State last week.
According to the Diocese, those still missing include 239 nursery and primary school pupils, 14 secondary school students, and 12 members of staff.
The full list of the abducted individuals was made public by the Diocese on Monday.
This update comes after SaharaReporters revealed on Sunday that 50 of the kidnapped children managed to escape and had been safely returned to their families.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), through a statement issued by Daniel Atori—media aide to the Niger State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna—confirmed the development.
The mass abduction occurred when bandits overran the school, capturing more than 300 pupils, students, and staff members.
As of Monday, November 24, the Diocese reported that the following teaching staff remained in captivity:
Bitrus Yohanna, Cyril Bagudu, Mercy Yohanna, Justina Yakubu, Yohanna Daniel Dogonyaro, and Agnes Joseph.
The non-teaching staff still unaccounted for are:
Anna Terry, Terry Francis, Emmanuel Ibrahim, Lydia Andrew, Godwin James, and Hannatu Bulus.
The secondary school students whose whereabouts remain unknown are:
Amos Kiloybas (JSS 1), Onah Benedict (JSS 1), Bulus Ezra (JSS 1), Anthony Linus (JSS 2), Dauda Zacharia (JSS 2), Bulus Gustave (JSS 2), Ejeh Mathew (JSS 3), Iliya John (JSS 3), Joshua Philip (JSS 3), Samaila Habila (JSS 3), Simon Christopher (SS 1), Yohanna Cephas (SS 2), Christopher Justice (SS 3), and Samuel Michael (SS 3).
The following nursery and primary school pupils also remain missing:
Natherniel Andrew, Shalom Terry, Ajikovi Andrew, Zacharia Sabastine, John Lois, Yohanna Veronica, Emmanuel Ibrahim, Ayuba Linus, Bulus Christopher, Ibrahim Micah, Joshua Dogara, Marcus Stephen, Samuel Peter, and Simon Wisdom.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, assured the public that security agencies are intensifying efforts to safely rescue all those still in captivity.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has continued to appeal for the unconditional release of the abducted students and staff, urging Nigerians to pray for their safe return.
Full list of abducted victims below:
