Nigeria: Parents fear abducted children could be dead

Bishop Bulus Yohanna during Mass. Image © ACN

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

Parents of students kidnapped in Nigeria's north-central region fear for their children's lives, a bishop has told the government's national security advisor.

Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora said that parishioners were suffering anxiety and uncertainty after more than 300 pupils and staff were taken in a raid on a boarding school in Papiri, Niger State in the early hours of 21st November.

Bishop Yohanna said: "The kidnapping of our innocent students and dedicated staff of St Mary's Catholic School has brought deep sorrow to the families and the entire community. These children left their homes in search of education and were instead confronted with terror. Their families remain in anguish, unable to sleep, not knowing the condition of their loved ones."

Around 50 students managed to escape, but 239 pupils from the primary school and nursery, 14 secondary students and 12 staff members remain in captivity.

Some of the pupils taken were as young as six.

Bishop Yohanna called the mass kidnapping "a profound moral and spiritual wound to the community and to humanity. Violence against children violates the core principles of human dignity and the sanctity of life."

He added that the Church is praying and providing pastoral support for the families affected.

Bishop Yohanna told national security advisor Nuhu Ribadu that the Church "will continue to preach hope and discourage retaliation, even as we demand justice.

"We will keep praying for our leaders, our security forces and for our beloved nation."

Mr Ribadu assured the prelate of President Bola Tinubu's personal commitment to securing the release of those kidnapped, at the meeting on Monday (1st December), a video recording of which was sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

He said: "President Tinubu is in pain… He was meant to travel out of the country, but this incident stopped him…

"This is evil visiting us, in its worst, purest form and we are all the victims. But we can assure you it's a matter of time. This thing will stop. We must stop it."

According to a spokesman for archdiocese, during the visit Mr Ribadu told school officials that the abducted children "are fine and will be back soon."

Sunday Gbazali, whose 14-year-old son was kidnapped from St Mary's Catholic School told Reuters: "I barely sleep. My wife cries constantly.

"They [the government] are just telling us to exercise patience, that they are trying to rescue the children. How can we find peace when we do not know his current condition?"

He added: "We don't know if he is sick, healthy, or even alive."

The mass kidnapping was the latest in a series of incidents in recent weeks, including the abduction of 25 pupils from the Government Girls' Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. They have since been released.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly stated its commitment to securing the safe return of all abductees, and security forces say efforts are underway to secure their release.

With thanks to Filipe d'Avillez

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org