The Federal Government has reassured parents and management of St. Mary’s Catholic Missionary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, that all abducted students and staff are alive and will soon return home safely.
On Monday, a federal delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, visited the parents and school management at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora. The team also included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bernard Doro, DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern Region, Rev. Joseph Hayab.
The visit came amid the conspicuous absence of Niger State government officials, with Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago maintaining that no students were abducted, insisting the children only ran into the bush out of fear due to sporadic gunfire, and would soon return. He also contested the school’s reported number of missing students, saying the figures were overstated.
Speaking to anxious parents, NSA Ribadu conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of hope and assurance, stressing that security has been intensified and that all efforts are ongoing to rescue the children. “The children are alive and doing fine, and will be back soon,” Ribadu said. He called on Nigerians to unite against the criminal elements wreaking havoc in the country and reassured the community that the school would remain operational and protected.
Ribadu commended the school proprietor, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, for his resilience and cooperation during the crisis. “You are not alone. We are together in this. Many good people from all over the world, including the United States and European nations, are supporting our efforts,” he added.
Bishop Yohanna expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the NSA for visiting the parents and providing reassurance. The delegation later held a closed-door meeting with the school management and parents to further discuss the incident and response measures.
The principal, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang, and a parent representative, Mr. Luka Iliya, shared their accounts of the abduction and the trauma experienced, highlighting the urgent need for sustained security and support for the children.
Children Alive, Safe Return Promised as FG Reassures Niger School Parents
