The Proprietor and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has disclosed that four children belonging to one of the diocese’s catechists are among the 265 students who remain missing more than a week after bandits abducted them.
Bishop Yohanna, who also serves as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, made the revelation during his homily at the First Sunday of Advent Mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
He declined to reveal the catechist’s name “for obvious reasons,” but stressed that the church and the affected communities urgently need divine help for the safe return of all pupils, students, and teachers seized by the attackers.
He said, “What happened to us is tragic and unexpected, but those responsible for securing us have begun to act, and we believe God will intervene soon. One of our catechists has four children among those abducted. We cannot hide from the reality; the truth must be told. For over a week now, 265 children and teachers remain unaccounted for.
“We need them back, and I believe those responsible for our security are doing their job. Everyone is traumatized, but let us continue to pray. I believe our government is ready and capable of ensuring their safe return.”
Members of the congregation joined in urging the state governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt firmer measures to address the crisis.
Tina Okeke, a parent and Provincial President of Catholic Women, called for solidarity and prayer across all social and religious lines.
“Is it an offence to send our children to school? Mothers everywhere should pray with us. We believe these innocent children will return home safely,” she pleaded.
Another worshipper, Mrs. Elizabeth Otti, described the tension spreading across Papiri, Agwara, and Kontagora. “People go out in fear, worship in fear and even visit the market in fear,” she lamented.
Emmanuel Anyanwu of the Catholic Men Organisation added that the entire community is “worried and devastated,” yet hopeful that God—who enabled the rescue of captives in Kebbi and Kwara—will intervene again.
Meanwhile, some parents of missing students attempted to stage a protest in Papiri on Saturday but were reportedly stopped by unidentified individuals.
As conflicting reports continued regarding the actual number of abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Church School, the Niger State Police Command announced the opening of a register in Papiri for parents to officially list the names of missing children.
Residents, however, claimed that school authorities had begun inviting parents for documentation when unknown individuals allegedly acting “from above” arrived and disrupted the process.
But the Police Command denied any involvement in dispersing the parents. Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun explained that the documentation exercise was initiated by the police and not hindered by them.
“We invited the parents to provide information about children still missing, including those who have returned. We cannot state the exact number yet because documentation is ongoing,” he clarified, without giving the number of names already recorded.
