A major security operation is underway in Niger State following the abduction of students and staff from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday when armed bandits raided the school and whisked several individuals away to an unknown location.
The incident reportedly happened around 2:00 a.m. while most of the students were asleep in their hostel. According to sources within the school, the attackers arrived heavily armed, firing shots into the air to create panic before forcing their way into the dormitories. In the chaos, students who attempted to escape into the surrounding bushes were also captured.
A staff member, who spoke under anonymity, confirmed that the school was still struggling to compile an accurate list of those abducted due to the confusion that followed the attack.
“The incident happened suddenly while the students were sleeping. Many were taken, including some who tried to run. The Catholic authorities will release an official statement soon,” the source said.
In response to the attack, the Niger State Police Command confirmed that a joint team of police, military personnel, and other security agencies has been deployed to Papiri. The team has begun combing nearby forests and tracking the movement of the assailants in an effort to secure the safe return of the kidnapped victims.
The Police Command also criticised the school management for reopening and operating despite a standing directive from the Niger State government ordering the closure of vulnerable schools due to heightened security threats in the region. Authorities say the school may face sanctions for disregarding the order.
Commissioner of Police Adamu Abdullahi Elleman assured residents that every resource is being mobilised to rescue the victims unharmed. He also urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel as operations continue.
The attack adds to the growing list of school abductions in northern Nigeria, a trend that has persisted despite multiple security interventions. Only days earlier, another school in Kebbi State was invaded by terrorists, resulting in the abduction of at least 25 students and the killing of school officials.
Niger State has suffered several high-profile attacks on schools in recent years. In one of the most widely reported incidents in 2021, dozens of students and teachers were kidnapped during an early morning raid on a secondary school in Kagara.
As security agencies intensify rescue efforts in Agwara, families of the abducted students have been thrown into panic, with many gathering in the community to await updates. Local leaders have called for urgent government action, warning that continued attacks on schools threaten the future of education across the region.
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