The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed that 315 students and teachers remain missing following the mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The update, released Saturday, clarified earlier figures after a verification exercise. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Niger State, Most Rev.
Bulus Yohanna, the victims include 303 students and 12 teachers—eight men and four women.
The Diocese dismissed claims that it ignored warnings from authorities to close the school before the attack, describing such allegations as attempts to “shift blame.”
It explained that the school has always complied with security advisories and that no circular—written or verbal—was issued by the government or security agencies prior to the incident.
The Diocese added that the school is a Catholic institution, not owned by any individual, and denied allegations that its administrators travelled to Abuja in disregard of security instructions.
Officials stressed that those making such claims must produce proof or withdraw their statements.
The school currently has an enrolment of 629 pupils, with the abduction now marking one of the largest school kidnappings in recent years.
