The Bishop of Kontagora, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, has welcomed reports that security forces in Nigeria have arrested individuals allegedly involved in the mass kidnapping that occurred on November 21, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, within the diocese of Kontagora. A total of 265 students and staff members were abducted in a crime that shocked the country and drew international attention to the growing insecurity affecting many communities. For several weeks, Bishop Bulus Yohanna called for prayers and demanded justice for the victims and their families. The arrest of the alleged suspects now marks an important step toward clarifying one of the most serious attacks suffered by a Catholic educational institution in recent years.
Arrest details reported to the Bishop of Kontagora
According to information released to the press by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), five suspects were arrested for providing logistical support and weaponry to the group responsible for the kidnapping. Two foreign nationals are among those detained, and during the operation, authorities reported the seizure of several weapons and ammunition.
In response to the news, the prelate of the Diocese of Kontagora told the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the arrests bring hope to the victims and their families:
«For a long time, we feared that the matter of bringing those responsible to justice would fall into oblivion. However, we are grateful that the government has continued to make efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.»
According to Bishop Bulus, the arrests are an encouraging sign that the suffering endured by the victims has not been ignored:
«Families will feel relieved and happy to know that those who planned the kidnapping of their children have been arrested. This is truly good news.»
Demands for a public and transparent trial by the Bishop of Kontagora
However, the bishop stressed that arrests alone are not enough, calling on authorities to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted and brought to justice through a transparent process:
«It is one thing to arrest individuals, but it is quite another to hold them accountable through appropriate punishment. Such action is necessary not only to provide justice to victims and their families, but also to serve as a deterrent to others who may have similar intentions.»
Nigeria has witnessed a series of mass kidnappings of students, clerics, and civilians in recent years, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country. Many Christian communities continue to live under the constant threat of attacks, abductions, and violence perpetrated by criminal gangs and extremist groups. For Bishop Bulus, the next stage is critical, prompting him to urge Nigerian authorities to carry out any legal proceedings in a public and transparent manner, ensuring that the families of the victims remain informed of the outcomes:
«Trials and sentences must be carried out publicly and transparently. The outcome and the penalties imposed must be clearly communicated so that families can find some relief, knowing that despite the trauma and suffering they have endured, something positive has come out of their long struggle for justice.»
The bishop also appealed to the international community not to lose interest in the case:
«We hope that the international community, including organizations like ACN, will continue its work advocating for the importance of accountability and insisting that those responsible are properly punished.»
ACN supports the Church in Nigeria through pastoral, humanitarian, and spiritual assistance, while seeking to give a voice to the local Church and draw global attention to the terrible challenges faced by Christian communities affected by massive violence and insecurity.
