Parents of pupils kidnapped from St. Mary Catholic Schools in Papiri, Agwarra LGA of Niger State, staged a protest on Saturday, accusing the state government of failing to act eight days after the attack. More than 200 parents gathered at the school to register their details and those of their missing children, with many travelling long distances, some on motorcycles, to participate.
The attack occurred on 21 November, when gunmen abducted over 300 students and 12 teachers, just days after another kidnapping incident involving 26 schoolgirls in the state. Around 50 students reportedly escaped two days later, but most remain in captivity.
Parents said they had received no updates from state authorities, despite claims that special security forces had been deployed. Carrying placards reading “Bring Back Our Girls,” “Is Education a Crime?” and “Our Children Are Still in Captivity,” they criticised the government for silence and slow response.
Stephen Okafor, the school’s Director of Communication, said the registration was conducted at the instruction of the state government and that the large turnout confirms the reality of the abduction. Cleric Linus Arege added that at least 215 parents and guardians were documented, with officials from Agwarra Local Government and the Catholic Diocese overseeing the process.
Joseph Dimas, whose son Julius is a JSS 2 student, condemned the government for initially denying the abduction. Emmanuel Ejeh, whose older children previously graduated from the school safely, expressed shock that such an attack could happen.
Bishop Bulus Yohanna of the Kontagora Diocese, the school’s proprietor, appealed for prayers and expressed hope for the safe rescue of the abducted students and staff, highlighting the difficulty of coordinating parents from more than 50 communities. Principal Felicia Gyam rejected claims that the school received prior warnings, while Headmistress Blessing Amodu described the ordeal as emotionally draining and urged authorities to intensify rescue efforts.
Attempts to obtain comment from the Niger State Government were unsuccessful, as messages sent to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, had not been answered.