Breaking: 50 abducted pupils of St. Mary’s School escape, 265 others still in captivity

At least 50 of the hundreds of abducted pupils and students of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School in Kontagora, Niger State, have escaped from their abductors.

They have been reunited with their families, said the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who owns the school.

In a statement issued on Sunday through his media aide, Daniel Atori, the Bishop said the children made their way home on their own after fleeing from their captors.

According to the Bishop, parents reported the unexpected return of their children, prompting school authorities to contact more families and visit several homes to verify the information.

“As of Sunday, 23 November 2025, we received encouraging reports that 50 pupils have escaped and are now with their parents,” the statement said.

Despite this development, a significant number of victims remain missing.

Yohanna disclosed that 236 primary school children, three children belonging to staff, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers, totalling 265 people, are still in captivity.

He explained that the primary school has 430 registered pupils, including 377 boarders and 53 day students.

Beyond the 50 who escaped, 141 pupils were never abducted during the attack, he added.

The New Telegraph reports that Yohanna, who also serves as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, expressed gratitude for the safe return of the 50 children but urged continued prayers and vigilance.

He reassured the public that church and community leaders are maintaining close contact with security agencies and government authorities in the effort to rescue all remaining hostages.