Fresh facts are beginning to emerge about how hundreds of children and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary Private Catholic School Papiri in Agwara LGA of Niger State, more than one week after the incident.
Both the principal, Felicia Gyang and head teacher, Blessing Amodu in narrating their ordeal said they heard the sound of a helicopter during the attack, with vehicles, and motorcycles moving out of the school with the children but no help came their way.
They also said they heard some of the terrorists saying they should abduct the children so that they can have money.
AIT.live however gathered that so far, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, neither has there been any communication to demand ransom for the release of the children and teachers.
Meanwhile, parents and loved ones of the 239 school children and 12 teachers still in terrorists captivity have staged a protest in the school appealing to the government to facilitate their speedy rescue.
The parents made the appeal when they gathered at the school premises to register and submit the names of their abducted wards following a request by Government authorities. A total of 215 parents and guardians have been documented so far.
Travelling to Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area from Minna, the Niger State capital is a journey. On arrival at the school, it was a sorry sight to behold as parents and loved ones of the abducted 239 school children and 12 teachers staged a protest with free flow of tears, lamentation, anguish, and wailing that filled the air.
Some parents who had four to five of their children abducted could not hold back tears to speak to the camera, but said they only imagine what the children who are six years of age and above are going through in the hands of the terrorists.
Such a view was held by 35-year-old Samson Najajah, whose 15-year-old son was abducted. According to him, he was a victim of abduction in 2021 and knew what he suffered in the hands of the terrorists who refused Naira as ransom but the Cefa currency. Therefore, he could only imagine what the children were going through.
A teacher, Martha Mathias, whose husband was abducted along with the children, narrated how her five-year-old daughter saved her from being abducted.
Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna, however expressed optimism about the safe rescue of the children and teachers, saying the school serves over 50 communities within and outside Agwara LGA.
As parents continue to keep hopes alive and expect the rescue of their children, the question begging for answers is, for how long will they keep hoping, or until their hopes burn out?
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
