The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for Niger State don talk say the number of children wey bandits carry from St Mary Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, don rise sharply to 303. When the attack first happen early Friday morning, many people think say na 215 pupils plus 12 teachers the bandits take. But after the school, community leaders and parents sit down, check register well, make calls and confirm from every corner, the figure come jump reach 303 students and 12 teachers. That means say for now, 315 people still never return.
The matter start for Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, when bandits enter the school before daybreak. As the thing happen, everywhere scatter as children and teachers try run for safety. Some children manage escape enter bush, some run go different directions. But when the dust settle and the school begin call names, them realize say plenty children wey dem believe safe no return. Na that one push CAN to insist say make proper verification dey done before anybody talk final number.
The CAN chairman, Most Rev Bulus Yohanna, release statement through his media aide, Daniel Atori. He explain say the new figure no be guesswork but result of full census. The school authorities talk say after the attack, parents begin call the management to ask for their children, especially those wey dem think run home. Some parents even show face physically to confirm whether their children dey camped somewhere. Na that process reveal say about 88 students wey them first think escape never show up. As dem add that number join the earlier count, everything come rise to 303 students.
The Bishop come talk to clear air about some rumours wey dey fly around. One of the gist be say government send circular earlier wey warn schools for that area to close because of security threats. According to the Bishop, nothing like that reach St Mary Primary and Secondary School. He talk say if any circular dey, the school for see am, the Education Secretary for know and the National Association of Private Schools for also receive the notice. But none of them get any message, whether written or spoken. The way he talk am, the story about government warning na something people just dey spread to shift blame.
He still talk about another rumour say Reverend Sisters for the school travel go Abuja before the attack. He dismiss the talk completely. He say the school belong to the Catholic Diocese and no be private business of any individual, and anybody wey get claim suppose bring evidence because the story no get foundation.
As part of the explanation, the Bishop talk say before the incident, the total number of students for the school na 629. Out of that number, 430 dey primary section while 199 dey secondary. The school management talk say they always dey follow security advice whenever dem get am. He give example say for 2022, when tension rise for the area, the school close immediately until the place calm down.
For the end of him statement, the Bishop beg the community make dem calm down and continue to pray for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers. He assure everybody say the church, security people, government and traditional leaders dey work hand-in-hand to secure their release. He pray make God protect the victims wherever dem dey and give their families strength while the rescue efforts continue.
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