Father Of 3 Abducted Niger Schoolgirls Dies Of Heart Attack, Northern CAN President Reveals

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern region and FCT, Reverend John Hayab, has disclosed that one of the parents of schoolchildren abducted in Niger State, who was identified as Mr. Anthony, has died from a heart attack after three of his children were taken by kidnappers.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time show on Tuesday, Hayab described the past week as “traumatic” for families, security agencies, and community leaders following a series of abductions across states.

Reacting to the news of the release of Kebbi Schoolgirls, Hayab said, “It’s not necessarily cheerful news, but congratulations to the parents, congratulations to the girls themselves, and congratulations to the government of Kebbi State,” he said.

Twenty-four (24) schoolgirls were abducted on 17 November 2025, from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. The girls, however, regained their freedom on Tuesday, 25 November, bringing a measure of relief after days of uncertainty.

However, Hayab disclosed that tragedy had struck another family in Niger State, where children were also abducted earlier.

“There’s something many Nigerians don’t know,” he said. “One of the parents, Mr Anthony, died yesterday (Monday) of a heart attack because three of his children were victims.”

The CAN leader said the emotional toll on affected families had been overwhelming.

“The pain, the trauma,” he lamented. “We tried today (Tuesday) to speak to many of the parents with their numbers. They’re even scared to pick up calls.”

Hayab explained that he had been in contact with church leadership in Kontagora, who confirmed the father’s death, noting that many parents were still in deep shock as they awaited updates on their children.

He also noted that prayers were held earlier in Kebbi, adding that security agencies had been “on their toes” over the last ten days due to rising public anxiety.

“Everybody seems to be worried, everybody is angry, everybody is disturbed. Within seven days, children were taken away from Kebbi. Then we moved to the kidnapping and the gun attack in Kwara, and then the kidnapping of children in Niger. When you put all this together, you know it’s been a traumatic week for parents, leaders, and our security men.”

Reacting to security concerns in Niger State, the CAN President confirmed that locals had complained about the lack of visible military presence.

“The onus is now on the Nigerian security agencies to ensure we don’t just speak about this on the pages of newspapers or on television. People want to see concrete action.”

Hayab further stressed the psychological impact on the rescued girls in Kebbi.

“These are children who are used to waking up in the morning, brushing their teeth, having breakfast or a tea break. These children have not slept in the past few days. These children have not done those sorts of things,” he said, highlighting the trauma and disruption they likely faced while in captivity.