‘We still haven’t heard a word’- Bishop reveals shocking new details of missing Niger students

By Tolulope Oke

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, says no contact whatsoever has been made with the gunmen who abducted hundreds of pupils and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara LGA.

Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, the bishop said the silence from the kidnappers has deepened fears among families still waiting for news.

“So far, we have not had any contact with them. As I’m speaking now, we’ve not had any call regarding the abductors,” Yohanna said.

The attackers invaded the school in the early hours of November 21, shooting a security guard and taking away pupils, students and teachers.

While initial figures put the missing at 215 pupils and 12 teachers, a detailed verification by security agencies, community leaders and diocesan officials later revealed the scale was far worse.

According to Yohanna, 315 persons were initially confirmed abducted 303 students and 12 teachers. The number dropped after 50 pupils escaped and were reunited with their families.

“Out of that number, we deducted them from the 315. We now have 265 as of now. That is the number that is missing,” he said.

Attackers Tried Reaching the Convent First

The bishop narrated how the gunmen first attempted to access the convent where the sisters lived.

“I think the first attempt was to see if they could break through where the sisters are living. That didn’t happen… So they shot him and then forced the gate open,” he said, referring to the school gateman.

He said the attackers then tried to force another gate separating the convent from the school but failed, eventually heading to the hostels where the children slept.

Claims of Prior Warning ‘Surprising’ – Bishop

Yohanna pushed back against suggestions that the school had been warned ahead of the attack.

“Well, what I do know is that in 2021/2022, we had rumours that the school would be attacked… we shut down the school immediately,” he said, explaining how the diocese reinforced security, built a fence and deployed additional guards.

“This accusation came as a surprise because if we had a warning back then… I see no reason why we should have that kind of instruction and not obey it,” he said.

This followed the Niger State Government’s statement claiming the school operated “without notifying or seeking clearance” despite intelligence alerting to possible attacks.

Yohanna confirmed ongoing communication with security agencies.

“The one I’ve been communicating with is the DSS in Kontagora… The police at the DPO in Kontagora called to say the sisters are to go and make a statement,” he said.

Parents Traumatized, Schools Shut

Speaking on the emotional state of parents, Yohanna said:

“Of course, they are traumatised and worried. We are praying and hoping that by the grace of God, their children will be released.”

On broader school security, he said churches had acted on their own initiative in the past and noted that all schools in Niger State have now been shut down by the government.