A parent whose three children were among those abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, has died of a heart attack, adding a tragic twist to the unfolding crisis, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has disclosed.
The CAN Chairman for the northern region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. John Hayab, revealed the development during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday night. He identified the deceased simply as Mr Anthony, describing his death as a direct consequence of shock and emotional trauma.
“A father of three of the abducted children died yesterday,” Hayab said. “The weight of knowing that all three of his children were taken by the bandits was too much for him to bear.”
The revelation comes as anxiety continues to mount over the mass kidnapping, which occurred at dawn on November 21, when armed men invaded the Catholic boarding school in Agwara Local Government Area and whisked away 303 students and 12 teachers. The incident ranks among the largest school abductions in Nigeria since the mass kidnap era began in 2014.
Church authorities say at least 50 of the abducted children have managed to escape and return home. However, about 253 students and 12 staff remain in captivity, with security agencies still searching for their location.
Parents and relatives of the kidnapped children have been living in anguish, unsure of the health, safety, or whereabouts of their loved ones. According to Hayab, many families are trapped in emotional distress as the situation stretches into days.
“These children have not slept, they have not had proper care, and their parents are confused and deeply worried,” he said. “Although security agencies have made efforts in recent months, the scale of terrorist activities is beginning to overwhelm everyone.”
The CAN leader also criticised the current pattern of security deployment in the country, noting that too many personnel are assigned to VIP protection while rural communities and schools remain dangerously exposed.
The Niger school abduction is the latest in a series of coordinated attacks on educational institutions across northern Nigeria. Earlier in November, 25 schoolgirls were taken by gunmen in Kebbi State; 24 of them have since been rescued.
Mr Anthony’s death, Hayab stressed, reflects the unseen toll of banditry - the psychological strain on parents, the collapse of families, and the silent casualties that never make headlines.
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