The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Yohanna, has said early indications suggest that the mass abduction of pupils in Niger State was driven largely by ransom motives rather than religion, as he welcomed the release of another batch of rescued students.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Bishop Yohanna—who also owns St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area—said accounts from pupils who escaped the November 21 attack point to a clear financial intention behind the raid.
“Listening to some of those who escaped… what they heard them saying was, ‘Let us take more so that we have more money,’” he explained. “If I go by that, I think this abduction has to do more with ransom than with any religious undertone.”
He cautioned, however, that only the attackers themselves could definitively explain their motives. “Until you hear from him what exactly his intention is, you cannot conclude,” he said. “But if what the pupils heard is accurate, then perhaps the first intention is ransom.”
The bishop expressed mixed emotions over the ongoing situation. The release of 100 students on Sunday brought relief, yet 165 others remain in captivity. In total, terrorists abducted 315 people from St. Mary’s School, including 12 teachers, while about 50 pupils managed to escape during the assault.
“We are experiencing a mix of emotions,” Yohanna said. “We are happy about the release of the 100 students, and at the same time, we are sad because 165 students are still in captivity.”
READ ALSO: Niger abduction targeted at depriving North education – Northern govs
Reacting to Governor Mohammed Bago’s decision to shut down all schools in Niger State after the attack, the bishop said some parents were pleading for the schools to remain open.
“One of the parents, when the NSA visited us, begged that the school should not be closed… even with what has happened,” he noted.
Bishop Yohanna urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the remaining abducted children and reinforce security around schools across the state, insisting that education must not be brought to a halt by fear.
“We will encourage them to go back to school,” he said. “We will do everything to make sure learning continues.”