Reported by: L, Imafidon | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — Daniel Atori, media aide to the Proprietor of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, has cast doubt on the Nigerian government’s assertion that all abducted pupils and teachers from the mass kidnapping in November 2025 have been freed, saying the school authorities have not yet physically received all the children and staff despite official statements.
In comments that highlight continuing uncertainty over the fate of those taken, Atori said, “We have not received these children and teachers, but the FG officials say they have all been rescued, so we are taking their word for it.” His remark underscores lingering questions over the details and verification of the rescue claims, even as government officials maintain that the ordeal has concluded.
The abduction occurred on 21 November 2025, when armed gunmen stormed the remote Catholic boarding school in the Agwara Local Government Area, seizing hundreds of students and staff in one of Nigeria’s most serious mass kidnappings in recent memory. Initial figures released by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) through Atori and other church sources put the number of abducted pupils at more than 300, along with 12 teachers — a total that varied in early reports as verification continued.
Over the weeks that followed, some hostages initially escaped on their own, and later groups were reportedly freed and reunited with families. On 21 December 2025, the Federal Government and the Presidency announced that security forces had secured the release of the remaining 130 schoolchildren and staff members, stating that none were left in captivity following what authorities described as a successful, military-intelligence-led operation.
Despite these official declarations, Atori’s statement signals that the school leadership has not independently verified the full return of all abducted children and teachers — a distinction that reflects ongoing concerns among families and community figures about transparency and accurate accounting of those affected. His comments emphasise that, while government authorities have publicly proclaimed the completion of the rescue, the school and parents are still awaiting direct confirmation and physical reunions with every individual.
The discrepancy between school authorities’ communication and federal pronouncements has drawn attention to broader challenges in verifying outcomes in complex hostage situations, where numbers can shift due to escapes, delayed reporting, or differing counts between institutions and official sources. In past mass abductions within Nigeria’s protracted security crisis, varying tallies and timelines have sometimes complicated public understanding of the scale and resolution of incidents.
Atori’s remarks come amid continued national and local scrutiny of how the government handles kidnappings and communicates results, particularly in high-profile cases involving large numbers of children. Families of abducted pupils have previously described anxiety over unclear updates, and community leaders have called for regular, detailed briefings from security agencies to build trust and assure clarity.
The Niger State incident occurred against the backdrop of escalating insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria, where armed gangs and criminal networks routinely target schools, travellers and rural communities for ransom over extended periods. Nigeria has seen a marked increase in kidnappings in recent years, placing heavy strain on authorities and prompting calls for improved protective measures for vulnerable groups, especially children.
As the government and school officials continue to navigate the aftermath of the Papiri abduction, verification of each rescued individual’s whereabouts and wellbeing remains a priority for parents, church representatives and civil society actors. Atori’s public comments reflect that, even after formal rescue announcements, families are still seeking confirmable, on-the-ground evidence that every child and teacher is truly safe and accounted for.
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