The Diocese of Kontagora released the names of 50 students who escaped from terrorists after last week’s mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.
In a Nov. 23 statement, Father Jatau Luka Joseph, the diocesan secretary, said 50 of the 315 abducted students and teachers fled and have now reunited with their families.
“The pupils who escaped did so between Friday and Saturday,” he said. “They did not report back to the school; instead, we were able to confirm their safe return home during follow-up visits and calls from their families.”
Militants stormed the school’s boarding facilities in Papiri early Nov. 21 and seized 315 people — 303 students and 12 teachers, according to the diocese.
The diocese noted that St. Mary’s runs two campuses with a combined enrollment of more than 600 children. The primary school has 430 pupils — 377 boarders and 53 day students — while a secondary school serves 199 students, including 185 boarders.
“We remain fully committed to the safe rescue of those still in captivity,” Fr. Jatau continued. “We continue to collaborate with security agencies and relevant stakeholders, and we urge the public to remain calm, prayerful, and supportive as these efforts progress.”
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