Niger School Abductions: ‘Kidnappers Yet to Make Contact’ — CAN Chairman

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Rev. Bulus Yohanna, has stated that the abductors of the 303 students and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri have not yet made contact with the victims’ families.

Rev. Yohanna stated this while speaking with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, noting that contrary to speculation, no ransom demand or communication had been received.

“No, no contact of such,” he said when asked whether the abductors had made any financial demands or reached out to relatives.

The CAN chairman described the emotional state of the community as deeply distressed following Wednesday’s attack, which has been described as one of the worst school abductions in recent years.

“Parents are traumatised. The principal is devastated. The whole community is in shock,” he said, adding that the environment was too tense for many affected families to speak publicly.

He explained that St. Mary’s, located in a remote part of Niger State, had been thrown into collective grief as residents continue to wait anxiously for updates.

When asked about the progress of rescue operations, Yohanna declined to comment extensively, stressing that such matters fall within the purview of the authorities.

“I’m not a security personnel… that is the duty of the government now,” he said, calling for calm and patience as security agencies work on the situation.