Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, has disclosed that the church is not officially aware of the reported release of 100 of the abducted schoolchildren.
Multiple government sources said on Sunday night that 100 of the students abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri have been released. The news attracted moments of surprise in the minds of Nigerians.
However, Bishop Yohanna, who is also the Chairman of, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, said the body had not received any official confirmation regarding the reports. According to him, the affected communities were also not aware of such development.
“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return. If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified.
“We hope and pray it’s true and look forward to when the remaining will be released,” Yohanna said. It could be recalled that a total of 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, were abducted from the school, out of which 50 pupils were reported to have escaped within the first 24 hours.
Appearing on Channels Television programme on Sunday, former Director of Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche (retd.), commended the Federal Government and security agencies for what he described as a significant breakthrough.
“My take is that the government and the security agencies have done a lot, and I believe that Nigerians will be happy for this. I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out,” Enenche said.
At the movement, the statement by Bishop Yohanna has cast further doubts in the minds of the already jubilating Nigerians, especially the parents of the victims.
