Parents of the 265 pupils and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State, on Sunday appealed to the Federal and State Governments to intensify efforts toward the rescue of their children.
The parents, more than 200 of whom gathered at the school to register their names and those of their missing wards, said the exercise marked eight days since gunmen invaded the community and whisked the victims away.
Although initial reports indicated that 303 pupils and students, alongside 12 teachers, were taken on Nov. 21, the parents insisted that government authorities had not shown enough concern since the incident occurred.
Some of the protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Girls,” “Our Girls and Teachers Are Still in Captivity,” “We Need Security in Agwarra,” and “Is Education a Crime?” They accused government officials of remaining silent and failing to visit the community or sympathise with the affected families.
Rev. Fr. Stephen Okafor, Diocesan Director of Communications, said the ongoing documentation followed a request from government officials. He explained that the turnout of parents should end any doubts about the abduction, adding that many travelled long distances to participate.
Also speaking, Fr. Linus Arege said the registration, which began on Friday, had recorded 215 parents and guardians so far. He said the process was being supervised jointly by representatives of Agwarra Local Government and the Catholic Diocese.
One of the parents, Mr. Dimas Joseph Mauhuta, whose son Julius, a JSS 2 pupil, was abducted, faulted government officials for allegedly dismissing early reports of the kidnapping. He urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure the release of the victims.
Another affected parent, Mr. Emmanuel Ejeh, whose son Mathias, a JSS 1 pupil, was taken, described the incident as unprecedented in the school’s history.
The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, expressed optimism that the abducted children and teachers would regain their freedom. He said there had been no communication from the kidnappers eight days after the attack but noted that the Church remained hopeful and prayerful.
Yohanna explained that the school caters to more than 50 communities across and beyond Agwarra LGA, which made it difficult for many parents to travel for the registration ordered by Gov. Umaru Bago. He appealed to Nigerians and the international community to continue to pray for the victims’ safe return.
The school principal, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyam, dismissed claims that the school received prior warnings before the attack. She urged anyone with credible information to present it to authorities.
Similarly, the headmistress, Sister Blessing Amodu, who appeared distressed, said she had been deeply troubled since the incident occurred. She appealed to government agencies to intensify rescue efforts.
Fifty pupils were earlier reported to have escaped captivity on Nov. 23 and reunited with their families.
