Pope Leo XIV has called for the urgent release of the 315 students and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State.
Speaking during his Sunday address, the Pope said, “I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students,” adding that he was making “a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages.”
The armed men attacked the private Catholic school between 3 and 4 a.m. on Friday.
Sources in the community said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, riding on more than 60 motorcycles and a van. They reportedly shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him badly injured, before moving through the hostels.
A resident said, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.”
Another source also said some teachers were taken during the attack.
A fresh headcount by the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State raised the figure of abducted persons. The CAN chairman, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Reverend Bulus Johanna, confirmed the new number through his media aide, Daniel Atori.
Atori said, “After we left the school at Papiri, we made more calls and carried out a final census. We found that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.”
He added, “This now makes it 303 students and 12 teachers. The total number of abducted persons is 315. The school has 629 pupils and students.”
He also dismissed reports that the school ignored a government directive to shut its hostels.
Atori said, “We did not receive any circular. It must be an afterthought or a way to shift blame. In the past, when we heard rumours of threats, we shut down immediately. Why would we ignore an official warning if it came?”
He said the education secretary and the National Association of Private Schools also confirmed they received no such notice.
