Parents Lament Harsh Conditions As 165 Niger Schoolchildren Remain In Captivity
By HALIMA TAKWAS
AGONY and hope collided for parents of abducted pupils of St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State, following the release of 100 victims, while 165 others remain in captivity. Although the handover of the freed pupils and a teacher brought relief to many families, those whose children were not released continue to live in fear and uncertainty.
The rescued victims were formally presented to the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora by government officials led by Agwara Local Government Chairman, Hon. Iliyasu Zakari. Parents who attended the ceremony anxiously scanned the faces of the returning children, hoping to catch a glimpse of their own, only to be left devastated when they did not.
Zakari said the rescue effort was ongoing and reaffirmed the commitment of the local and state governments, alongside security agencies and the Catholic Church, to ensure the safe return of the remaining victims. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of the Catholic Diocese confirmed that the abduction involved 265 pupils and staff, adding that the release of the 100 abductees was a testament to sustained efforts and prayers.
Parents of children still in captivity revealed disturbing details shared by the rescued pupils, including drinking water scooped from muddy ground, eating just once daily and enduring mosquito-infested swampy terrain. The conditions, they warned, pose serious health risks, especially to children between seven and ten years old.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago reassured parents that the state government would not relent until all abducted pupils and staff were rescued. He commended federal authorities and security agencies for their intervention and urged families to remain resilient as rescue operations continue.
