The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora refutes claims that St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri were subject to a security alert prior to Friday’s abduction by the state government.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) clarified the school’s position in a statement released on Saturday by Daniel Atori, the media assistant to Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna.
He claimed that it was necessary to address “the problem of prior warnings from either the government or security organizations.”
Bishop Yohanna added that he was “greeted with propaganda” because the government had issued a circular to the school, clarifying that the school belonged to the Catholic Diocese and not any individuals.
That is not accurate. No circular was sent to us. It must serve as a second thought and a method for shifting blame.
After meeting with parents and visiting the school, I recently returned to the village to let them know that the rescue efforts are still ongoing. When we first learned about rumors of security problems in 2022, we immediately stopped operating.
READ MORE: [UPDATED] Gunmen Abduct Students At School In Niger State
The bishop questioned why the school “would now ignore a government directive,” and questioned whether some Reverend Sisters had traveled to Abuja prior to the attack.
Yohanna claimed that the Education Secretary also confirmed that he had not received any circulars and had not issued any. The National Association of Private Schools, on the other hand, had not received any safety instructions.
The Education Secretary responded, “We asked if he had received a circular, and he replied that he had, or that he had declined to send any to us.” He declined to be informing us verbally, as we did when we asked if he had. Tell everyone in the world who received the circular and how it was sent.
We also contacted the National Association of Private Schools, but they were unsuccessful. They claimed the school was shut down and then reopened a few days later, which is also false. He claimed that we follow the law.
The attack was “deeply saddening and avoidable,” according to the Niger State government.
The government stated that security assessments were ongoing in a statement released by Abubakar Usman, the state government’s secretary.
Gov. Stance 
Meanwhile, the state government reaffirmed that it had previously been informed of credible information about rising threats in the region.
It recommended the temporary closure of boarding schools in troubled areas and the suspension of construction works.
The SSG claimed that the alleged violation “exposed pupils and staff to severe risk” when St. Mary’s School “reopened without clearance and violated the safety directive.”
Search-and-rescue operations were intensified and security agencies launched a comprehensive investigation. The government stated that it was in constant communication with security forces.
It reiterated that protecting children remained the top priority and that it was up to school owners and community leaders to strictly follow security advisories.
Toll rises to 315
After further investigation, CAN confirmed a significant increase in the number of abducted students and teachers.
According to Bishop Yohanna, “there are now 303 victims (male and female), including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males), bringing the total number of abductees to 315.”
“There are 629 pupils and students overall, with 430 in primary and 199 in secondary.” According to the statement, “We discovered that 88 more students were also captured after they attempted to flee.”
He claimed that the confirmation came after “a thorough census” following earlier rumors that many students had fled.
He claimed that the parents’ inquiries revealed that several children who were previously believed to be safe were actually missing. Yohanna also made a calm appeal.
He said, “We will continue to work with security operatives and the government to ensure the safe return of all abductees.”
In the early hours of Friday, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School. Sources claim that the attackers used a van and more than 60 motorcycles to transport them.
The gatekeeper at the school was reportedly shot, seriously hurt, by them. The Niger State Police Command later confirmed the abduction, according to a community source, and it took place between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.
The Federal Government ordered Friday’s immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges out of concern for security.
Tunji Alausa, the minister of education, cited “recent security issues.” He gave the order. The ministry instructed the affected area’s leaders to put a stop to traffic. Other states have also acted similarly by closing schools.
The decision came after two other abductions occurred just this week.
In a Maga, Kebbi State, gunmen kidnapped 26 schoolgirls on Monday during an attack. When gunmen attacked the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State on Tuesday, 38 people were kidnapped and two were killed, with the attackers demanding a $100 million ransom for each victim.
On Friday, rising tensions also stoked false accusations of a Nasarawa abduction. According to the Nasarawa State Police Command, reports of two abducted pupils were “false and doomed.
In addition, President Bola Tinubu delayed his planned travels to Johannesburg and Angola and ordered Bello Matawalle, the minister of state for defense, to relocate to Kebbi in response to mounting calls.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply