Gunmen have reportedly abducted an undisclosed number of students following an attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, located in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The assailants, said to have arrived in large numbers between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Friday, stormed the private Catholic boarding school riding on more than 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van. In the course of the invasion, the school’s gatekeeper was shot and left critically injured.
Community sources in Agwara confirmed the incident, noting that the exact number of abducted students could not yet be determined. Some eyewitnesses also reported that several teachers were taken alongside the students.
“In the dead of night, our community was shaken by a tragic and shocking attack,” one source said. “Bandits invaded St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri. Students and teachers were forcefully taken. This is an extremely distressing moment for families, our community, and Niger State at large. These are innocent young learners and committed educators now facing grave danger. Their safe return must be our top priority.”
While official figures remain unavailable, community members fear the number of abducted persons could exceed 100.
Police Confirm Abduction, Launch Search Operation
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the mass abduction. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, tactical units, military personnel, and other security operatives have been deployed to the area.
Abiodun said combined security teams are currently conducting extensive search operations across the surrounding forests to secure the immediate and safe return of the victims.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, urged residents to remain calm and support ongoing operations by supplying credible information.
He also disclosed that authorities will thoroughly investigate the incident, adding that the school management would face sanctions for defying the state government’s directive to shut down schools in the area due to rising security threats.
Another Tragic Abduction in Nigeria’s Ongoing Security Crisis
The attack in Niger State adds to a disturbing wave of school kidnappings and violent assaults across Nigeria.
Just days earlier, bandits kidnapped 26 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State. The school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, was killed while attempting to stop the abductors.
Similarly, at least 30 worshippers were abducted during an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State—a raid that also left three people dead.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the escalating attacks and expressed condolences to affected families. The President also dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Maga in the wake of the Kebbi school abductions.
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