Attack of Catholic School in Niger: Bayo Onanuga Says Number of Missing Children Still Uncertain
- About 50 schoolchildren escaped captivity after bandits attacked a Catholic school in Niger State
- Authorities said they remained uncertain about the actual number of missing pupils following the incident
- The bishop reportedly instructed the school principal not to release names or details to security officials
Reports from Niger State confirmed that about 50 schoolchildren managed to escape captivity after bandits attacked a Catholic school.
The incident caused widespread panic among students and staff, with many children fleeing in fear.
Source: Twitter
Authorities uncertain about missing students
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told AriseTV in an interview on November 25 that officials were still unsure about the exact number of missing pupils.
He explained:
“When the bandits arrived, the students fled in panic, some ran to their homes. Authorities remain uncertain about the actual number of missing students. The bishop instructed the school principal not to speak with security officials. They are not releasing the names and numbers of the missing children.”
Bishop restricts communication with security officials
According to Onanuga, the bishop overseeing the school had directed the principal not to engage with security agencies.
This decision meant that details about the missing children, including their names and numbers, were not being shared with authorities.
Escape brings relief amid uncertainty
While the escape of around 50 schoolchildren brought relief to families and the wider community, uncertainty remained over how many pupils were still unaccounted for.
Officials continued to investigate the situation, but the lack of information from school authorities added to the challenge.
This development highlighted ongoing concerns about school safety in Niger State and the wider region, where bandit attacks have disrupted education and left families anxious about the security of their children.
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Source: Twitter
Niger state
Niger State, known as “The Power State,” is Nigeria’s largest state by landmass, covering about 76,363 square kilometres.
Created on February 3, 1976, it is located in the North-Central region with Minna as its capital. The state derives its name from the River Niger, which flows through it and supports agriculture, fishing, and trade.
Niger State is home to major hydroelectric dams such as Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro, which generate a significant portion of Nigeria’s electricity.
Rich in cultural heritage and mineral resources, it has an estimated population of over 6.7 million people as of 2022.
Police react to reported escape of 50 students
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Niger State Police Command reportedly said it cannot verify the reported escape of 50 abducted children of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools.
Legit.ng reports that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) announced that 50 students escaped from the kidnappers. As reported by the BBC, the commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, said he has reached out to CAN but didn’t get a good response on how the children were able to escape.
Police say the only students confirmed to be safe are those who escaped on the night of the attack.
Source: Legit.ng
