Writing by Aliyu Lawal Editing by Abubakar Hamza
A total of fifty pupils from ST. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Niger state that were abducted by bandits have escaped and reunited with their parents.
This is coming few days after suspected terrorists attacked and allegedly abducted three hundred and three pupils and students, in which some pupils escaped between Friday and Saturday and have reunited with their parents at home as they could not return to the school after they escaped.
This is contained in an update that was signed and issued to Newsmen in Minna by the Chairman Niger State Chapter Of Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Most Reverend Bulus Yohana, through his Media Aide Daniel Atori.
The statement however explained that they were able to ascertain this when they decided to contact and visit some parents at home and therefore, for the records, they now have 251 Primary school pupils, 14 Secondary students and 12 teachers still with their abductors.
Currently, aside the 50 pupils that have escaped and returned home, we have 141 pupils who were not carried away. As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 Secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors it said.
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago had while addressing the people of Niger state, said they were not aware of where the figures on number of pupils and teachers abducted were coming from, but an official statement on the exact number of the abductees is being worked out by security agencies that will be made public.
Pr/Aliyu Lawal.
