The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter has debunked claim by the state government that the school management was informed of threat of attack by bandits and the need for the school to be shutdown.

The CAN said categorically that the management of the school did not receive any early warning of threat of attack by bandits either written or verbal from the government or any individual before the invasion of the school by the gunmen.

Chairman, CAN Niger State chapter, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese in a statement in Minna on Saturday by his media aide, Dan Atori, did not only debunked the claim by the government but described it as a “mere propaganda” and after thought.

According to the CAN Chairman, ” it is very pertinent we address the issue of prior warnings from either the government or security agencies as peddled in some quarters.

“I have just got back to the village this night (Friday night) after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and Security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely.

“Unfortunately I was gritted with what I term “propaganda” that the school was given a prior warning by the government through a circular.

“That is not true, we did not receive any circular, written or verbal from any quota, it must be an after thought and a way to shift blame”.

Rev. Bulus recalled that sometimes in 2022 when the management of the school received the rumours of security challenge in the area “we do not hesitate, we shutdown immediately”.

He wondered that is it when there is a circular from the government asking school to shutdown that the management will now not obey.

He pointed out that “Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is a false allegation and should withdraw such or provide the proofs and evidences.

“We have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular he said no; or if he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel did they send it”, he added.

He stated further that the National Association of Private Schools Niger state chapter also denied receiving any correspondence from the state government to that effect.

It could be recalled that the state government in a statement in Minna on Friday by the secretary to the state government Alhaji Abubakar Usman said it received security reports ahead of the attack which indicates that there is increased threat level in the area, stressing that “In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“This unfortunate incident comes despite prior intelligence report obtained by the government indicating an increased threat level in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk”, the statement”, the state government was quoted to have said.

Meanwhile CAN has given further updates on the number of missing students, saying that after a proper census carried out on Saturday morning it was discovered that the total number of students abducted by suspected terrorists from the school now stood at 303 and 12 staff.

He maintained that “after left the school last night (Friday night) we decided to make calls, do verification exercise and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.

“Our attention was drawn to when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking of their children. We became curious and that was when we did census and discovered that they were abducted.

“This now makes it 303 students (male and female) including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males). This brings the total number of abducted persons to 315”.

He disclosed that the school has a total number of 629, made up of 430 pupils at the primary and 199 at the secondary school section.

He then call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful and assured that CAN will continue to actively collaborate with security operatives, community leaders, government and relevant authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees. (The Sun)