The diocese released a full list of the 265 individuals on Monday.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has disclosed that 265 individuals, comprising 239 nursery and primary pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 staff members, remain in captivity following last week’s mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Nursery, Primary, and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
The diocese released a full list of the 265 individuals on Monday.
On Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that 50 abducted pupils had escaped and were safely reunited with their families, a development confirmed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Daniel Atori, Media Aide to the Niger State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, provided the update in a statement on Sunday.
The development came days after bandits stormed the school and kidnapped over 300 pupils, students, and staff members.
According to the diocese, as Monday, November 24, the following teachers were still being held by the bandits: Bitrus Yohanna, Cyril Bagudu, Mercy Yohanna, Justina Yakubu, Yohanna Daniel Dogonyaro, and Agnes Joseph.
The non-academic staff members still missing were listed as Anna Terry, Terry Francis, Emmanuel Ibrahim, Lydia Andrew, Godwin James, and Hannatu Bulus.
The names of secondary school students still missing were listed as 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 nursery school students still missing include 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.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman in a statement said security forces were working to ensure the abducted students and staff members would be rescued unharmed.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has appealed for the safe release of all the kidnapped pupils and staff members, urging prayers for their return.
