Two weeks after the abduction of hundreds of students, pupils and staff from St Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, there has been still no communication from the kidnappers and the whereabouts of many remain unknown, according to school authorities and parents.
The attack, carried out on the night of November 21, 2025, saw 315 people abducted: 303 students and 12 staff. In the immediate aftermath, 50 pupils managed to escape and reunite with their families but that still leaves 265 individuals unaccounted for.
The chairman of the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who is also a Bishop in the diocese, confirmed to channels handling the crisis that there has been “no contact yet with the abductors” no ransom demands, no proof-of-life video, nothing.
He described the situation as “devastating,” noting enormous psychological trauma among parents, many of whom live in remote areas with poor communication access. As of now, the school remains shut, and Niger State government has ordered closure of boarding-school facilities across the state pending improved security.
Efforts to trace the captives are ongoing, with security agencies working in coordination with community leaders and religious institutions. But with no leads from the kidnappers and no confirmed sightings, hope is fading among many families raising fresh fears over school safety and the broader security vacuum in northern Nigeria.
