NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — In Papiri, a remote region in Nigeria’s north central state of Niger, 50 children ages 10-18 escaped captivity over the weekend after being kidnapped from a Catholic school late last week. More than 250 remain missing, along with a dozen teachers.
The children escaped individually on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 21-22) and were reunited with their families, said officials from the Diocese of Kontagora.
Earlier in the day on Friday, 303 students and 12 teachers had been kidnapped by gunmen, locally known as bandits, from the St. Mary primary and secondary school owned by the diocese.
“The pupils who escaped did so between Friday and Saturday. They did not report to the school; instead, we are able to confirm their safe return home during follow-up visits and calls from their families,” said the Rev. Jatau Luka Joseph, the Kontagora diocesan secretary, in a statement on Sunday.
No organization has claimed responsibility for the act or demanded ransom for those remaining in captivity.
Luka Joseph said the church was giving the details to help the public understand the scale of the incident and the extensive efforts underway to account for every person.
“We urge the public to remain calm, prayerful, and supportive as these efforts progress,” said the priest.
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