Niger abduction: Uncertainty over fate of students still in captivity

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Uncertainty continues to loom over the fate of 115 students still in captivity in Niger State, with families and communities remaining on edge, even as 100 schoolchildren were recently freed from abductors, writes Chika Otuchikere

For Niger State residents and the government of Governor Mohammed Bago, the waiting is not over, even after 100 school children regained their freedom from dreaded terrorists.

An estimated 115 abductees, including pupils, students, and teachers of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, are still languishing in the terrorists’ den somewhere in Niger State or other northern regions.

The remaining captives are relying on luck or hope that the terrorists may be favourably disposed to releasing them without ransom, or that the Federal Government might compel them to free the innocent victims.

It has been 23 days of waiting in distress and anguish for the rescue of the other school children. In light of the reckless brutality of the terrorists, many feared the worst. Others relied on prayers, keeping the axiom in mind: “Prayers can do all things.”

A wave of jubilation had swept through Niger State as the 100 rescued children, aged five to 10, returned to their families after nearly three weeks in captivity. The freed 100 school children returned to the warm embrace of their parents and the government of Niger State.

Following their rescue, President Tinubu pledged renewed efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers, directing security agencies to intensify operations.

The children were welcomed at the Niger State Government House by emotional parents, dignitaries, and security personnel. Despite being visibly malnourished, they were overjoyed to be free.

Governor Bago assured that the remaining abducted students would also be rescued soon, thanking the NSA, UNICEF, and other partners for their role in the recovery.

“By the grace of God, we will recover the other students very soon, Insha Allah,” he said.

Now, the waiting seemed almost endless, especially given the ages of the pupils, some as young as five years old, with the majority under 10. The waiting evokes memories of Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot, a hallmark of the Theatre of the Absurd.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, has given his word, ordering security agencies to immediately intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers.

Welcoming the news of the students’ release, President Tinubu, through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, directed security agencies to secure the immediate freedom of those still in captivity.

“I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work. My directive remains that all students and other abducted Nigerians must be rescued and brought home safely. We must account for all the victims,” the President said.

He stressed that the Federal Government was working with the Niger State Government to reunite the children with their families and strengthen security at schools nationwide.

“From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings. Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists,” he added.

Niger State Governor Bago triggered controversy when he declared that no child had been abducted from the St. Mary’s School attack. He said the terrorists only stormed the school, fired sporadically to scare the students, who then scattered into the bush.

“Visiting the school will be an effort in futility; there is nobody in the school,” he said.

“There was nothing like mass abduction. The bandits came and fired sporadically into the air, and the students escaped into the nearby bush. About 60 of them have come out of hiding. Security agents are combing the bush for the rest, so we appeal for calm,” Bago added.

The governor also claimed that the state government had given an early warning to the school management of an imminent bandit attack, which the school had ignored. He wondered why the school had reopened after closing.

However, the chairman and proprietor of St. Mary’s Schools, Most Rev Bulus Yohanna, Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, insisted that the terrorists abducted no fewer than 315 people, including pupils, students, and teachers. He spoke through his media aide, Daniel Atori, who continued to provide updates.

Two days later, when 50 of the abducted pupils escaped, CAN reported the number of abductees had reduced to 265. The bishop challenged the governor to provide proof of any early warning, calling the claim “mere propaganda and afterthought.”

Despite his initial scepticism, the governor ordered the immediate closure of all schools in the state to prevent a recurrence. Missionary, Islamic, and tertiary institutions were shut until further notice.

Bago urged security agencies, civil society organisations, organised labour, and religious leaders to focus on rescuing the abducted children. He described the abduction as sad and unfortunate, with the primary concern being the children’s rescue.

“The number of children kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School has not been ascertained. Security agencies are working round the clock to carry out a headcount to determine the actual figure,” he said.

Following the uncertainty, Bishop Yohanna conducted a headcount, finding 303 pupils and students, plus 12 teachers, were affected. Parents registered the names of their children.

The Niger State CAN chairman urged all Christians and people of other faiths to pray for the children’s safe return, even as days passed without contact from the terrorists.

APC Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, visited the school, assuring the bishop and parents that efforts to reunite the children with their families were ongoing.

“Our hearts are with you, our prayers are with you, and these children will be reunited with their parents as soon as possible. God will bring them back because the whole country is praying,” Yilwatda said.

Parents attending a Sunday service at Kontagora Diocese pleaded with the Federal Government to act fast.

“President Tinubu and Governor Umar Bago, do all you can to bring back our children. We are all crying and cannot eat or sleep,” said retired teacher Madam Cecilia Audi.

Provincial Catholic Women’s President, Tina Okeke, called on women nationwide to join prayers for the children’s release.

“Is it a crime to educate our children? Mothers everywhere, irrespective of religion or tribe, are praying for their return. I call on the President and his wife to act fast,” she said.

An executive member of the Catholic Men Organisation, Emmanuel Anyanwu, said parents had been unable to sleep or eat, appealing for intensified action from the government and security agencies.

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Yohanna, prayed for the return of abducted pupils, students, and teachers during his homily at the First Sunday of Advent.

“Over a week now, 265 children and teachers are unaccounted for. Everyone is traumatised, but let’s continue to pray,” he said.

The last visitor before the rescue of 100 children was the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who reassured parents that the children were safe and efforts for the remaining abductees were ongoing.

Ribadu was accompanied by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Dr Bernard Doro, DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi, and Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab.

He said other countries, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, were assisting in securing the children’s safe return.

“When the news of the rescue of 100 children filtered out, many still doubted. The announcement that they would be received at the government house on Monday brought relief,” he added.

Mass school abductions have plagued Nigeria since Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014. Niger State has suffered repeated attacks, including the February 2021 Kagara abduction, while coordinated raids have occurred in Kebbi and Kwara states in recent weeks.

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