More than a week after the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Niger State, the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has disclosed that four children belonging to one of the diocesan catechists remain among the 265 victims still unaccounted for.
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Bishop Yohanna, who also serves as Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, revealed this on Sunday during his homily marking the First Sunday of Advent at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
He said the Church was withholding the identity of the catechist for security reasons, adding that the situation had become dire and demanded both divine intervention and stronger government action.
“What happened to us is very tragic and unexpected,” the Bishop said. “As I speak to you now, one of our catechists has four children among those abducted. For over a week now, 265 children and teachers are not yet accounted for. We need them back. Everyone is traumatized, but we believe government is ready and capable to do the right thing.”
During the Mass, the Bishop and worshippers made a solemn appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Niger State Government to intensify efforts toward the immediate and safe return of all abducted students and staff.
Emotions ran high as parents and parishioners shared their fears and anxieties. Mrs. Tina Okeke, Provincial President of the Catholic Women Organisation, urged all Nigerians—regardless of faith or ethnicity—to join in prayer for the safe release of the victims.
“Is it an offense to send our children to school?” she asked. “Mothers everywhere should pray with us. We call on our President and his wife to act fast so these innocent children can return home.”
Another worshipper, Mrs. Elizabeth Otti, described the atmosphere in communities such as Papiri, Agwara, and Kontagora as one of overwhelming fear. “People now go out in fear; they worship in fear and go to the market in fear,” she said.
Mr. Emmanuel Anyanwu of the Catholic Men Organisation expressed hope that God, who intervened in past mass abduction cases in Kebbi and Kwara, would once again deliver the captives in Niger State.
On Saturday, more than 100 parents of missing students staged a protest in Papiri but were reportedly stopped by unidentified individuals. There is also confusion surrounding the documentation of missing students, with conflicting accounts on whether the police or school authorities initiated the registration process.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed it had opened an official register for parents to document missing children but denied involvement in dispersing the protesting parents.
Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the documentation exercise was ongoing but declined to disclose how many names had been recorded so far.
“We invited the parents to provide information about the children still missing, including those who have returned,” he said.
As the community continues to grapple with fear and uncertainty, calls for urgent governmental action have intensified. With 265 students and teachers still missing, families say each passing day deepens their anguish and tests their faith.
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