Fifty pupils who were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State have managed to escape, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed.

 

Fifty pupils kidnapped from St. Mary's Primary and Secondary seminaries, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have escaped from prison.

Fortified men attacked the academy in the early hours of Friday, shooting a security guard and kidnapping further than 200 pupils and scholars, along with 13 tutoring andnon-teaching staff.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria( CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who's also the owner of the academy, had before said 215 scholars were kidnapped alongside 12 staff.

But by Saturday, he said 88 further scholars could n't be reckoned for.

still, in a statement his assistant, Daniel Atori, issued on his behalf, on Sunday, November 23, the Reverend said the pupils who escaped on Saturday had ago been reunited with their families.

“ This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we've entered some good news as fifty( 50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents, ” the statement read.

Yohanna said the academy operates both boarding and day sessions.

According to him, the primary section has 430 pupils, out of which 377 are lodgers and 53 day pupils.

“ presently, away from the 50 pupils that escaped and have returned home, we've 141 pupils who were n't taken. As it stands now, 236 pupils, three children belonging to staff members, 14 secondary academy scholars, and 12 staff members remain with the abductors. ”

Yohanna appealed for continued prayers and calm as sweats to secure the release of the remaining victims continue.

“ We prompt everyone to remain calm and supplicatory as we unite with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities to insure the safe and nippy return of all abductees, ” he added.