The Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, has confirmed the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted from the Catholic school in Niger State, describing the development as an answered prayer and a moment of deep gratitude.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Bishop Yohanna said he received the news of the release “with great joy,” thanking God, the Federal Government, the Niger State Government, and the media for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.

“We thank God. I received the news with great joy that at last our prayers have been answered, and I feel that the Lord is with us,” the Bishop said.

“All those who have been praying for the release of these children, our prayers have been answered. We are very grateful, first of all, to God, the Federal Government, the state government, and all the individuals, especially the media, who helped us broadcast this incident. We are very, very happy.”

Providing clarity on the number of abductees, the Bishop explained that a headcount after the attack showed 303 students and 12 teachers were missing, making a total of 315 persons. He said the school arrived at the figure by accounting for those present and assuming that anyone not seen had been taken by the gunmen.

However, he said the numbers began to change after parents started reporting that some children had escaped from captivity. According to him, about 50 children were later deducted from the initial figure, bringing the number down to 265. He said the school, working with the government, then opened a register and invited parents who had not seen their children to formally register.

“In the first two days, we had 215 registered,” he said, adding that as releases continued, the school repeatedly asked parents who had not yet reunited with their children to come forward to ensure accurate records.

Bishop Yohanna said when reports emerged that 130 children had been released, the school issued a press statement confirming the release but deliberately avoided stating figures to prevent conflicting information.

“I am expecting the children today. We will receive them, thank God, pray with them, and then send them to their parents who will be waiting at Papiri to reunite,” he said. “It is after everyone has received their wards and no one is complaining that they have not seen their children; we will come up with the final figures. We want accurate information.”

He disclosed that the Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, called him to convey the news of the release.

The Federal Government had earlier announced on Sunday that it secured the release of 130 abducted pupils. Presidential spokesman, Sunday Dare, said in a post on his official X handle, “Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released, none left in captivity.”

The abduction occurred in the early hours of November 21, when gunmen stormed the Catholic school, kidnapping over 300 children, teachers, and staff. Sources said the attackers arrived in large numbers, riding on more than 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van, and shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him seriously injured.

Days later, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) disclosed that 50 children escaped, while the Federal Government announced on December 7 that 100 of the abducted children had been released. The exact number of those initially taken remains unclear, as earlier figures ranged up to 315