Fifty students who were earlier feared abducted in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, have safely returned to their homes, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed.
The individuals, mostly students of St. Mary’s School, Papiri, had fled into the bush following an attack by suspected bandits earlier this week. According to the Diocese, all 50 persons listed have reunited with their families as of 23rd November 2025.
In a document issued and signed by Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, the Diocesan Secretary, the Church provided the complete names of those who returned, assuring the public that efforts are ongoing to verify the status of others yet unaccounted for.
The Diocese expressed gratitude for the safe return of the victims and called for continued prayers and support as security agencies intensify search operations in the affected area.
Full list of the returned persons:
- Samson Bitrus
- Emmanuel Francis
- Amos Mathew
- Timothy Peter
- Ayuba Victor
- Bulus Emmanuel
- Bulus Samaila
- Caleb Hosea
- Catherine Emmanuel
- Christopher Ezekiel
- Dominic Daniel
- Dominic Elisha
- Elisha Harunna
- Elisha Yakubu
- Ezekiel Emmanuel
- Ezekiel Joel
- Ezekiel Pius
- Ezra James
- Friday Joel
- Gloria Jeremiah
- Godiya Mathew
- Iliya Philip
- Ishaya David
- Joseph Sunday
- Julius Paul
- Justina Adamu
- Keziah Musa
- Lawrence James
- Lawrence Yohanna
- Marcus Bulus
- Mariam Joshua
- Mathew Dauda
- Micah Luka
- Michael Jacob
- Musa Timothy
- Naomi Bulus
- Nicodemus Ibrahim
- Peter Jonathan
- Pricillia Peter
- Emmanuel Godwin
- Samaila Dauda
- Stephen Anthony
- Sunday Shedrack
- Veronica Iliya
- Victoria Ishaku
- Vincent Emmanuel
- Wisdom Fabian
- Yakubu Saminu
- Yunusa Musa
- Yusuf Sunday
The Diocese urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security authorities.
