CAN confirms 215 students and 12 teachers kidnapped from St Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri, Niger State

In a shocking development, 227 individuals, including students and teachers, have been abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, following a violent attack by suspected terrorists earlier today, Friday, November 21, 2025.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, confirmed the incident in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Dan Atori, in Minna.

The abductees comprise 215 students and 12 teachers. Reports indicate that some students managed to escape during the attack, and anxious parents have begun retrieving their children from the school premises. In response to the crisis, St Mary’s schools have been temporarily closed.

Rev. Yohanna assured the public that CAN is collaborating closely with the Niger State Government and relevant security agencies to secure the safe release of those kidnapped. He appealed for calm and prayers, emphasizing that all possible efforts are underway to rescue the abductees.

Security operatives are currently engaged in rescue operations, as authorities work to bring the situation under control and prevent further escalation. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and reignited concerns over the increasing frequency of terrorist attacks targeting educational institutions in the region.