Father of Three Abducted Niger Students Dies of Heart Attack as Families Lament Trauma – CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed the death of a parent whose three children were among the more than 300 students abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

Rev. John Hayab, CAN Chairman for the Northern Region and the FCT, disclosed on Tuesday that the man, identified as Mr. Anthony, died of a heart attack shortly after learning that his children were among the victims kidnapped on Monday when bandits stormed the school.

The attackers abducted 303 students, pupils and 12 teachers, according to CAN officials in Niger State and the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. At least 50 students reportedly escaped between Friday and Saturday, but more than 265 children remain missing.

Hayab said families in Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states are living in fear following the latest wave of school kidnappings.

“People want to see concrete action. Imagine a parent Mr. Anthony who died yesterday of a heart attack because three of his children were taken,” he said.

Hayab explained that many parents are too traumatised to speak publicly about the ordeal.

The pains and trauma are still very fresh. We tried speaking to the parents today, and they were scared. You can imagine the shock of a man whose three children are in the hands of bandits,” he added.

He noted reports from locals indicating a lack of visible security presence in the area, stressing that families are demanding immediate intervention from security agencies.

According to him, although 50 senior students found their way back after escaping into the bush during the attack, the majority of the abducted children are still unaccounted for.

Hayab also welcomed the release of 24 schoolgirls kidnapped in Kebbi State but emphasised the overwhelming emotional toll on affected families.

“Everybody is worried, everybody is angry. It has been a traumatic week for parents, for leaders and for our security personnel,” he said.