Two parents of abducted St Mary’s students die from heart attacks

Tragedy has struck families linked to the recent abduction of students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri village, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, as two parents reportedly lost their lives following the distressing incident. The heartbreaking news has added to the emotional toll on the community already shaken by the school abduction.

The confirmation came from the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, during a statement in Minna on Tuesday, communicated via his media aide, Daniel Atori. The bishop, who also serves as the chair of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state and owns St Mary’s Catholic School, revealed that one of the parents, a man identified as Anthony Musa, died from a heart attack shortly after the abduction incident. Efforts are still ongoing to reach the family of the female parent, whose identity has not yet been disclosed.

The bishop stated: “The man Anthony Musa died of heart attack but the female we don’t have the details yet because we couldn’t get the family.” The news has sparked widespread grief and concern among local residents, highlighting the immense emotional and psychological impact that abductions have on parents and guardians of the affected children. Community members expressed shock at the unfolding tragedy and extended their condolences to the bereaved families, urging authorities to provide support and counseling for the victims’ relatives.

Update on Kebbi students’ release

In a related development, authorities confirmed the release of 24 schoolgirls who were earlier abducted in Kebbi State. The students have been safely reunited with their families, bringing relief to the local community. However, the circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, and no arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident. The authorities continue to investigate the situation to determine the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.

Community leaders in Kebbi expressed their relief at the safe return of the students but emphasized the urgent need for long-term solutions to prevent school abductions across the region. They called on government and security agencies to strengthen protective measures for schools, enhance response mechanisms, and implement proactive strategies that safeguard children from future threats. The incidents in both Niger and Kebbi states underscore the ongoing security challenges faced by communities and the pressing demand for comprehensive action to protect vulnerable students.

As families mourn and celebrate the safe return of the Kebbi students, the tragic loss of the St Mary’s parents serves as a solemn reminder of the severe emotional consequences of school abductions, highlighting the need for swift, coordinated, and effective responses from both local and national authorities.