Reverend John Hayab, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern region and Federal Capital Territory, revealed that Mr. Anthony, one of the parents of schoolchildren kidnapped in Niger State, passed away from a heart attack following the abduction of three of his children.
Following a string of kidnappings across states, Hayab called the previous week “traumatic” for families, security services, and community leaders in an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time program on Tuesday.
“It’s not necessarily cheerful news, but congratulations to the parents, congratulations to the girls themselves, and congratulations to the government of Kebbi State,” Hayab stated in response to the announcement of Kebbi Schoolgirls’ release.
On November 17, 2025, twenty-four (24) schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, were kidnapped. But on Tuesday, November 25, the girls were liberated again, which was somewhat relieving after days of uncertainty.
Hayab said, however, that another family in Niger State had also experienced misfortune, with children having been kidnapped earlier.
“A lot of Nigerians are unaware of this,” he stated. “Mr. Anthony, one of the parents, passed away yesterday (Monday) from a heart attack due to the deaths of three of his children.”
According to the CAN leader, the impacted families had experienced an unbearable emotional toll.
“The suffering, the trauma,” he bemoaned. “Today, Tuesday, we made an effort to contact numerous parents using their phone numbers. They’re even afraid to answer the phone.
Hayab clarified that he had spoken with Kontagora church leaders, who verified the father’s passing. He also mentioned that many parents were still in shock as they awaited word on their kids.
He added that security agencies had been “on their toes” during the past ten days because of growing public anxiety and mentioned that prayers had been held earlier in Kebbi.
“Everyone appears to be upset, angry, and anxious. Children were removed from Kebbi in less than seven days. The kidnapping and gun attack in Kwara followed, followed by the kidnapping of children in Niger. When you consider everything, you can see that parents, leaders, and our security guards have had a difficult week.
The CAN President responded to security concerns in Niger State by confirming that residents had expressed dissatisfaction about the absence of a visible military presence.
The Nigerian security agencies now have the responsibility to make sure that we don’t only discuss this on television or in publications. People desire tangible action.
Hayab emphasized the psychological effects on the females who were rescued in Kebbi.
These kids are accustomed to getting up in the morning, cleaning their teeth, eating breakfast, and taking a tea break. For the past few days, these kids haven’t slept. He emphasized the pain and upheaval these kids probably experienced while in captivity by saying, “These kids haven’t done those kinds of things.”
