Fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have reportedly escaped from their captors and reunited with their parents.

The development was confirmed on Sunday by the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, in a statement issued by his media aide, Daniel Atori.

?This is to notify the public that as of Sunday, 23rd November 2025, we received some good news as fifty (50) pupils escaped and have reunited with their parents,? the statement read.

It was stated that the school currently has 236 pupils still in captivity, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary students, making a total of 253 children and 12 staff members still held by the abductors.

Yohanna appealed for continued prayers for the safe release of the remaining pupils and staff.

?As much as we receive the return of these 50 children with some sigh of relief, I urge everyone to continue in prayers for the rescue and safe return of the remaining victims,? he said.

According to the separate document signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev Fr. Jatau Joseph, below is the full list of the 50 pupils who have returned home:

1. Samson Bitrus

2. Emmanuel Francis

3. Amos Mathew

4. Timothy Peter

5. Ayuba Victor

6. Bulus Emmanuel

7. Bulus Samaila

8. Caleb Hosea

9. Catherine Emmanuel

10. Christopher Ezekiel

11. Dominic Daniel

12. Dominic Elisha

13. Elisha Harunna

14. Elisha Yakubu

15. Ezekiel Emmanuel

16. Ezekiel Joel

17. Ezekiel Pius

18. Ezra James

19. Friday Joel

20. Gloria Jeremiah

21. Godiya Mathew

22. Iliya Philip

23. Ishaya David

24. Joseph Sunday

25. Julius Paul

26. Justina Adamu

27. Keziah Musa

28. Lawrence James

29. Lawrence Yohanna

30. Marcus Bulus

31. Mariam Joshua

32. Mathew Dauda

33. Micah Luka

34. Michael Jacob

35. Musa Timothy

36. Naomi Bulus

37. Nicodemus Ibrahim

38. Peter Jonathan

39. Pricillia Peter

40. Emmanuel Godwin

41. Samaila Dauda

42. Stephen Anthony

43. Sunday Shedrack

44. Veronica Iliya

45. Victoria Ishaku

46. Vincent Emmanuel

47. Wisdom Fabian

48. Yakubu Saminu

49. Yunusa Musa

50. Yusuf Sunday

The incident that led to the abduction of 303 pupils and staff prompted the state government to close schools across Niger State on Saturday as a precautionary measure. (Sunday PUNCH)

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