265 Niger Catholic School Abductees Still With Terrorists, Says Official

Laleye Dipo in Minna

It has now been confirmed that not less than 265 persons are still with the terrorists who last week abducted them from the St Mary’s Catholic Primary /Secondary School in Papiri town of Agwara local government of Niger state.

According to statistics released by the school management on Monday 239 of the victims are primary school children.

The document also showed that 14 other victims were in the secondary school section of the school while 12 others were staff members.

Of the academic staff Mercy Yohanna and Justina Yakubu are women while Bitrus Yohanna, Cyril Bagudu and Yohanna Daniel are men.

In the non academic staff section, four workers Agnes Joseph, Anna Terry, Hannatu Bulus and Lydia Andrew are women while Terry Francis, Emmanuel Ibrahim and Godwin James are men.

The Proprietor of the school Reverend Bulus Yohanna confirmed authoring the document in an interview with THISDAY, saying that the figure was arrived at after due diligence.

Reverend Bulus Yohanna however lamented that “nothing has been heard about the victims.”

He however said the target of the terrorists was the Convent but that their plan never materialized because that wing was well fortified.

Yohanna said there was rumour of a likely invasion of the school in 2021, “We got wind of the plan and we closed the school for 5 months,” adding,”we did not reopen until we had reinforced the security around the school”.

ReplyForward

Add reaction

​  

  • Related Posts

    Akpabio Unveils 2025–2030 Counter-Terrorism Plan, Warns Insecurity Threatens Nigeria’s Future

    Akpabio Unveils 2025–2030 Counter-Terrorism Plan, Warns Insecurity Threatens Nigeria’s Future

    Sunday Aborisade in Abuja 

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Monday unveiled Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025–2030, declaring it a decisive turning point in the country’s battle against terrorism and violent extremism.

    The document was produced by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    It outlines Nigeria’s new security vision for the next five years. 

    Speaking at the launch, Akpabio, in a statement by his Media Office, described the plan as “a defining moment in our nation’s journey”, stressing that Nigeria must secure its people to unlock its full development potential.

    He said the plan represents a bold response to a generational question: how to secure the nation, safeguard citizens and place Nigeria firmly on the path of peace, growth and stability.

    He said: “The Strategic Plan 2025–2030 answers this question with vision, discipline and ambition. 

    ‘“It offers a framework for transforming our institutions, modernising our security architecture, strengthening national resilience and expanding partnerships across government, industry, civil society and the international community.”

    Akpabio warned that insecurity continues to erode the foundations of national development, citing investors pulling out, schools shutting down, farmers fleeing their fields and young people losing hope. 

    He said this reality makes a forward-looking, implementation-driven strategy crucial.

    He emphasised the legislature’s central role in strengthening security, noting that the 10th National Assembly had passed far-reaching laws on defence, policing, intelligence coordination, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism. 

    Parliament, he said, had also improved agency mandates, enhanced inter-agency synergy and prioritised the welfare of security personnel.

    But he cautioned that legislation alone is insufficient.

    “We must invest in people, technology, training and strategic partnerships,” he said. “We must replace short-term firefighting with long-term planning. That is why this Strategic Plan matters,  because it translates intent into action and action into measurable results.”

    Akpabio noted that security cannot be achieved by government alone, insisting it requires the commitment of citizens, communities, traditional institutions, the private sector and international partners. 

    The new plan, he noted, stands out because it adopts a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.

    National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, said the strategy is the product of extensive research and inter-agency collaboration involving ministries, security institutions, academia, civil society groups and global partners.

    He said the vision of the NCTC is to establish itself as a regional centre of excellence for counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

    The NSA added that the plan provides a unified, coordinated and measurable framework for tackling emerging threats and ensuring that Nigeria strengthens its leadership in regional security cooperation.

    ​  

    Sunday Aborisade in Abuja  President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, Monday unveiled Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Strategic Plan 2025–2030, declaring it a decisive turning point in the country’s battle against terrorism and

    Read more

    NARC Offers Solutions to National Security Challenges

    NARC Offers Solutions to National Security Challenges

    Linus Aleke in Abuja 

    The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) has again expressed its commitment to deepening its research portfolio in order to continue providing solutions to national security challenges. 

    It aims to achieve this by leveraging academic networking opportunities and expanding the reach of the Centre.

    The Centre also assured the public that it will continue to forge strategic partnerships worldwide to enhance research, development and capacity-building initiatives, which will contribute to national growth and development.

    Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday to herald its tenth anniversary, the Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), retired Major General James Myam, said: “Our role in supporting evidence-based policy formulation for the Nigerian military as well as the nation will continue to grow, as will our dedication to professional excellence and innovation.”

    He noted that the Centre’s tenth-anniversary celebration is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, and that a range of activities has been lined up to mark the occasion.

    “In the past ten years, the Centre has recorded notable accomplishments, including extensive research and the publication of authoritative works on terrorism, insurgency, the Niger Delta agitation, religious and ethnic tensions in Nigeria, and other defence and national security matters,” he added.

    However, he explained that the Centre’s successes over the past decade have not come without challenges, including the dynamic and evolving nature of security threats, which require critical thinking, extensive research and development, robust stakeholder engagement, continual adaptation and innovation.

    “The budgetary constraints arising from the Centre’s status as a non-profit entity, and the need for enhanced partnerships with various national and international institutions, remain areas requiring focused improvement. Nevertheless, drawing from the past decade and looking to the future, the next ten years hold immense promise,” he said.

    He continued: “We hold weekly Subject Expert Sessions in which our Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows and Consultants analyse global events, draw inferences for Nigeria, and make insightful recommendations for policy development on critical issues bedevilling the nation. We also run a Monthly Lecture Series for members and fellows of the Centre on topical national security issues. The outcomes of these lectures are compiled into monographs. So far, 69 Monthly Lecture Series have been held. This is in addition to several conferences, round-table discussions and symposia which have enriched Nigeria’s national security and defence policy formulation.

    Additionally, in terms of human-capital development, we run two courses that award Master’s degrees: the Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course, and the Leadership and Strategic Studies Course. Our accomplishments also include the conduct of the Indigenous Languages Course for Nigerian Army personnel, the Leadership Skills Development Course, and the Leadership Awareness Development Course. The Centre also runs several other courses for the military, paramilitary agencies, staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, as well as Civil Society Organisations.”

    ReplyForward

    Add reaction

    ​  

    Linus Aleke in Abuja  The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) has again expressed its commitment to deepening its research portfolio in order to continue providing solutions to national security challenges. 

    Read more

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Business & Economy

    Lagos food prices decline except for onions, fish and a few essentials 

    Lagos food prices decline except for onions, fish and a few essentials 

    Court reverses FIRS’s N5.3billion tax judgment against AEDC over bias, orders retrial 

    Court reverses FIRS’s N5.3billion tax judgment against AEDC over bias, orders retrial 

    Africa is No Monolith: Building tech solutions that fit the market

    Africa is No Monolith: Building tech solutions that fit the market

    Paystack fires Ezra Olubi over serial misconduct allegations

    Paystack fires Ezra Olubi over serial misconduct allegations

    NAHCO in 2025: Strong earnings, soaring stock, but working-capital pressure looms 

    NAHCO in 2025: Strong earnings, soaring stock, but working-capital pressure looms 

    Why Mshel Horizon, Kukwuba is Abuja’s next big property move 

    Why Mshel Horizon, Kukwuba is Abuja’s next big property move 

    FCMB clarifies N400 billion capital-raise ceiling, move triggered by CBN compliance  

    FCMB clarifies N400 billion capital-raise ceiling, move triggered by CBN compliance  

    NNPCL records N5.4 trillion profit for 2024, targets 3m bpd output by 2030

    NNPCL records N5.4 trillion profit for 2024, targets 3m bpd output by 2030

    Cybercrime Charge: Judge’s absence shifts Senator Natasha Akpoti’s objection hearing to February 4 

    Cybercrime Charge: Judge’s absence shifts Senator Natasha Akpoti’s objection hearing to February 4 

    BREAKING: NNPC posts N5.4 trillion net profit in 2024 – Official

    BREAKING: NNPC posts N5.4 trillion net profit in 2024 – Official

    Zenith Bank celebrates tech excellence, rewards Hackathon winners with N140 Million at Tech Fair 5.0

    Zenith Bank celebrates tech excellence, rewards Hackathon winners with N140 Million at Tech Fair 5.0

    Lagos poultry farmers project chicken, egg prices drop driven by subsidy 

    Lagos poultry farmers project chicken, egg prices drop driven by subsidy 

    Johnnie Walker Set for Historical Launch in Nigeria

    Johnnie Walker Set for Historical Launch in Nigeria

    11 Best MagSafe Wallets (2025), Tested and Reviewed

    11 Best MagSafe Wallets (2025), Tested and Reviewed

    16 Best Air Purifiers (2025): Coway, AirDoctor, IQAir

    16 Best Air Purifiers (2025): Coway, AirDoctor, IQAir

    Europe Is Bending the Knee to the US on Tech Policy

    Europe Is Bending the Knee to the US on Tech Policy

    10 Best Early Black Friday Deals at Best Buy (2025)

    10 Best Early Black Friday Deals at Best Buy (2025)

    A $100 Billion Chip Project Forced a 91-Year-Old Woman From Her Home

    A $100 Billion Chip Project Forced a 91-Year-Old Woman From Her Home

    A Research Leader Behind ChatGPT’s Mental Health Work Is Leaving OpenAI

    A Research Leader Behind ChatGPT’s Mental Health Work Is Leaving OpenAI

    21 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers (2025): Drips, Pours, and Shots

    21 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers (2025): Drips, Pours, and Shots

    The Hard-Left Shooters Leading a Gun Culture Revolution

    The Hard-Left Shooters Leading a Gun Culture Revolution

    The 5 Best Bread Makers for Homemade Loaves (2025)

    The 5 Best Bread Makers for Homemade Loaves (2025)

    CBN issues directive defining HoldCo Minimum Capital after earnings delays 

    CBN issues directive defining HoldCo Minimum Capital after earnings delays 

    U.S., Nigeria to form security working group after genocide claims 

    U.S., Nigeria to form security working group after genocide claims 

    Ignite Energy Access Nigeria empowers 34 schools with solar systems in rural Nigeria 

    Ignite Energy Access Nigeria empowers 34 schools with solar systems in rural Nigeria 

    Nigerian Army releases list of successful SSCC Course 49/2026 candidates

    Nigerian Army releases list of successful SSCC Course 49/2026 candidates

    TalkComms announces Maiden 2025 Summit to empower over 1,000 young communicators across Africa 

    TalkComms announces Maiden 2025 Summit to empower over 1,000 young communicators across Africa 

    Paystack terminates co-founder Ezra Olubi amid sexual misconduct allegations 

    Paystack terminates co-founder Ezra Olubi amid sexual misconduct allegations 

    Peter Obi faults FG for choosing politics over people amid insecurity

    Peter Obi faults FG for choosing politics over people amid insecurity

    What they don’t tell you about Agro exports from Nigeria!

    What they don’t tell you about Agro exports from Nigeria!

    How to invest in commercial papers in Nigeria 

    How to invest in commercial papers in Nigeria 

    AIICO, Zenith, Vitafoam top stock pick this week

    AIICO, Zenith, Vitafoam top stock pick this week

    FIRS dismisses Atiku’s claims, warns against politicising tax administration

    FIRS dismisses Atiku’s claims, warns against politicising tax administration

    Sachet Alcohol Ban: Analysts predict liquidity crisis for manufacturers  

    Sachet Alcohol Ban: Analysts predict liquidity crisis for manufacturers  

    FIRS rejects Atiku’s Xpress Payments monopoly claim 

    FIRS rejects Atiku’s Xpress Payments monopoly claim 

    FG considers lagoon backfilling to replace 3km bridge on Lekki Deep Seaport access road 

    FG considers lagoon backfilling to replace 3km bridge on Lekki Deep Seaport access road