Fifty pupils who were among those abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly escaped from captivity and been reunited with their parents. This welcome development was confirmed by the school authorities on Sunday, November 23, 2025, just days after terrorists attacked the institution on Friday, November 21, and abducted a large number of students and staff.

The brazen attack saw suspected terrorists storming St. Mary’s School in the early hours of Friday, November 21. Initial reports indicated that a total of 303 pupils and students were kidnapped, with other accounts suggesting over 300 students and staff members were taken. The armed assailants reportedly shot a security guard during the invasion. Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter, as well as the Proprietor of the school and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, had initially stated that 215 students were abducted alongside 12 staff, but by Saturday, 88 more students could not be accounted for, indicating the scale of the crisis.

The escape occurred between Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22, with the 50 pupils managing to flee their captors. While they could not immediately return to the school, the administration verified their safe return by contacting and visiting their respective parents. In a statement issued on Sunday, November 23, 2025, signed electronically by Daniel Atori, Media Aide to Bishop Yohanna, it was announced, "This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we have received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents."

Despite this partial relief, a significant number of abductees remain in captivity. Bishop Yohanna's update detailed the grim situation: "As it stands now, we have 236 pupils, another 3 children who belong to our staff, 14 secondary students making a total 253 children including 12 members of staff with the abductors.” He also provided details about the school's structure, noting that the primary section has 430 pupils, with 377 being boarders and 53 day pupils, and that 141 pupils were not taken during the attack.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation. The House of Representatives Minority Caucus, in a statement by its Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers), strongly condemned the abduction, recalling the deep pains caused by such actions. Chinda emphasized that these "brazen actions of criminality are causing global embarrassment to Nigeria and must be stopped." The caucus urged security operatives to "go the extra mile" and "think outside the box" to ensure the swift rescue of the abducted students and staff, and to restore the nation's dignity and public confidence.

Both Bishop Yohanna and the Minority Caucus have appealed for calm and continuous prayers for the safe return of all victims. Bishop Yohanna stressed the ongoing collaboration with security operatives, community leaders, government officials, and relevant authorities to ensure the safe and swift release of all abductees. The lawmaker also called for massive recruitment of security operatives and decisive steps, including external collaboration, to guarantee the safety and welfare of citizens, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution which enshrines the government's primary purpose as the security and welfare of its people.