The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, has released the names of 50 pupils who escaped from their abductors after last week’s mass kidnap at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.
Yohanna confirmed the development on Sunday in a statement issued by his media aide, Daniel Atori, noting that the children had reunited with their parents.
“This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,” the statement read.
Despite the breakthrough, the Diocese said 236 pupils remain in captivity, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary school students, bringing the total number of children still being held to 253, in addition to 12 abducted staff.
The bishop appealed for sustained prayers and support to secure the release of those still in custody.
“As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge everyone to continue in prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,” he said.
A separate document signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Joseph, contained the full list of the 50 pupils who regained freedom.
They are:
1. Samson Bitrus
2. Emmanuel Francis
3. Amos Mathew
4. Timothy Peter
5. Ayuba Victor
6. Bulus Emmanuel
7. Bulus Samaila
8. Caleb Hosea
9. Catherine Emmanuel
10. Christopher Ezekiel
11. Dominic Daniel
12. Dominic Elisha
13. Elisha Harunna
14. Elisha Yakubu
15. Ezekiel Emmanuel
16. Ezekiel Joel
17. Ezekiel Pius
18. Ezra James
19. Friday Joel
20. Gloria Jeremiah
21. Godiya Mathew
22. Iliya Philip
23. Ishaya David
24. Joseph Sunday
25. Julius Paul
26. Justina Adamu
27. Keziah Musa
28. Lawrence James
29. Lawrence Yohanna
30. Marcus Bulus
31. Mariam Joshua
32. Mathew Dauda
33. Micah Luka
34. Michael Jacob
35. Musa Timothy
36. Naomi Bulus
37. Nicodemus Ibrahim
38. Peter Jonathan
39. Pricillia Peter
40. Emmanuel Godwin
41.. Samaila Dauda
42. Stephen Anthony
43. Sunday Shedrack
44. Veronica Iliya
45. Victoria Ishaku
46. Vincent Emmanuel
47.. Wisdom Fabian
48. Yakubu Saminu
49. Yunusa Musa
50. Yusuf Sunday
AFRIPOST reports that the mass abduction, which initially involved 303 pupils and staff, prompted the Niger State Government to shut schools across the state as part of heightened security measures.