The number of victims abducted by terrorists from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State has increased from the initially reported 215 to 315 persons.
The latest figure emerged after authorities discovered that 88 additional students, who were earlier thought to have escaped the attack, were also captured while attempting to flee.
According to the updated breakdown, 303 students—both male and female—were abducted alongside 12 teachers (four females and eight males).
Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, who also serves as the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, announced the new figures after a verification exercise and final headcount. He explained that the school has a total population of 629 learners, with 430 in the primary section and 199 in the secondary section.
Rev. Yohanna said the discovery was made after some parents returned to the school reporting that children they believed had escaped were still missing. This prompted an immediate recount, which confirmed that more students had been abducted.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Daniel Atori, the CAN chairman said the revised numbers followed a series of phone calls, investigations and further checks to verify the status of students earlier presumed safe.
