The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has dismissed circulating social media reports that kidnappers of 315 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra LGA, have demanded ₦3 billion ransom.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN Chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, stated on Saturday that the gunmen have made no contact with anyone since the attack.
“You know social media; they will mislead you. I am not aware of any demand. No contact yet,” the Bishop said.
He confirmed the total number of abducted victims remains 315 after fresh verification: 303 students and 12 staff (8 male, 4 female teachers).
An additional 88 pupils earlier believed to have escaped were later discovered to have been captured in the bush while fleeing.Total enrolment before the incident was 629 (430 primary and 199 secondary pupils).
Bishop Yohanna also rejected claims that the school received prior security warnings or a government circular before reopening.
“That is not true; we did not receive any circular. It is an afterthought to shift blame. In 2022, at the mere rumour of threats, we shut the school immediately,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South.
A circular dated November 21, 2025, signed on the authority of Education Minister Tunji Alausa, cited “recent security challenges” and directed principals to enforce the shutdown without delay.
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