Earlier this week, CAN reported that the students, kidnapped by armed gunmen, had managed to flee and reunite with their families. The claim gained traction after President Bola Tinubu echoed the statement in a social media post on Sunday, praising the reported rescue.
However, in a press briefing today, police spokesperson DSP Wasiu Abiodun revealed that authorities had requested evidence from CAN to substantiate the claim but received none. “We are not sure of the number of escaped children or the whereabouts of the others,” Abiodun stated, urging caution until verified details emerge.
Efforts by The Spectacles to independently confirm the accounts of the alleged escapees were unsuccessful, as neither CAN nor local sources provided direct testimonies or documentation.
The discrepancy has sparked concerns among parents and community members, who remain anxious for clarity on the safety of the missing students. Authorities have assured the public that search operations are ongoing, while CAN has yet to issue further comments.
The mass abduction at St. Mary’s School is among a series of kidnappings targeting schools in northern Nigeria, reigniting debates over security measures and the protection of educational institutions.