The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Catholic Bishop of Kantagora Diocese in Niger State, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, described the recent abductions in Niger State, Nigeria, as financially rather than religiously motivated, although he welcomed the release of 100 kidnapped schoolchildren.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Tuesday, Bishop Yohanna, who also owns St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, said the testimonies of the kidnapped pupils who escaped were likely a ransom-seeking operation, with the kidnappers demanding money from the families of the victims.
“Listening to some of those who escaped, I mean the students, when the raid was taking place, what they heard them say was, ‘let’s take more so we have more money.’
“Now, based on that, I think this kidnapping has more to do with ransom than perhaps a religious background…sometimes it is said that it is very difficult to know when a blind man is sleeping,” he said.
He added that understanding the attackers’ true intentions requires caution:
“So if someone is carrying out a particular act, until you know what exactly their intention is, you cannot conclude that that is why they are doing it.
“But if what the students said, those who escaped, you heard them say: let’s take more to have more money. Then perhaps the first intention is to ask for a ransom,” he added.
The bishop also expressed his mixed emotions and relief at the latest developments: 100 students were released, but 165 remain detained after terrorists attacked St. Mary’s school on November 21, taking away 315 people, including 12 teachers. About 50 children managed to escape immediately after the attack.
“We are experiencing a mix of emotions. On the one hand, we are happy for the release of the 100 students and, on the other hand, we are sad because 165 students are still in captivity,” Bishop Yohanna said.
Speaking about the Governor of Niger State, Bishop Yohanna mentioned that Governor Mohammed Bago closed schools in Niger State after the attack, but some parents are calling for them to be reopened.
“One of the parents, when the NSA visited us, was begging that the school not be closed, that even with everything that had happened, the school should continue.
“We will encourage them [students] They have to go back to school. “We will do everything we can to make sure school continues,” he said.
However, Bishop Yohanna urged the government to continue working to release the remaining children and strengthen security in Niger State schools.
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