The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has clarified that it has not received any official confirmation regarding reports that 100 of the students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, have been freed.
In a statement issued on Monday, the state CAN chairman, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, said neither the association nor the affected communities had been formally notified about any release of the kidnapped children.
“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return,” Yohanna 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,” he added.
The mass abduction occurred on November 21, 2025, when armed bandits invaded the Papiri-based Catholic school and kidnapped 315 individuals, including 303 students and 12 teachers. Within the first 24 hours, about 50 pupils escaped and were reunited with their families.
Last week, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited the school and assured distraught parents that the remaining abductees were safe and that efforts were underway to secure their release.
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Reacting to the circulating reports during a Channels Television programme on Sunday, former Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche (retd.), described the alleged development as a “significant breakthrough,” praising the Federal Government and security agencies.
“My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this,” he said.
“I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out.”
While Nigerians continue to await official confirmation, families of the abducted students remain hopeful that their ordeal may soon come to an end.