“We’ve Lost Two Parents of Abducted Children” – St. Mary’s School Proprietor

The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who oversees St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, has confirmed the deaths of two parents whose children were among those abducted in last week’s attack.

According to Rev. Yohanna, one of the victims, Anthony Musa, died after suffering a heart attack following the news of his child’s abduction. The second parent, a woman, also passed away, though the circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear as the school has been unable to contact her family.

More than 300 children were taken when armed bandits invaded the school, and only 50 have so far made their way back. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora earlier released the names of students and teachers who remain in captivity as efforts continue to locate and rescue them.