- Tension has engulfed Niger State after armed attackers stormed St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, abducting an unconfirmed number of pupils and staff in a midnight raid.
The incident, which occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Friday, has thrown the community into fear and confusion as families anxiously await official updates on the missing children. According to Daily Trust, several sources confirmed that multiple pupils were taken during the assault, though the school is still struggling to determine the exact number.
A senior member of one of the Catholic churches in Niger State confirmed the attack but said the church was not yet ready to issue full details.
“Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day,” he told reporters.
The Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said additional information would be provided once preliminary investigations were concluded.
However, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident via telephone, explaining that the gunmen invaded the school in the early hours of the morning. He added that the total number of abducted pupils and staff was still being assessed.
In a separate report on Friday, Arise TV stated that 52 pupils had been abducted, though this figure has not been officially verified.
The attack comes on the
heels of a similar abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were seized earlier in the week—further intensifying concerns over the deteriorating security situation in schools across northern Nigeria. The crisis escalated on Thursday when more than 50 schools were forced to shut down in Kwara State due to persistent bandit activities.Amid the worsening situation, President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola in order to coordinate the national response to the growing insecurity.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, also confirmed the incident through an official statement released via his Facebook page on Friday. The statement, titled “Niger State Government Condemns Kidnapping of Pupils in Papiri Area in Agwara Local Government, Reiterates Earlier Security Directive,” expressed deep concern and promised swift action.
“The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,” the statement read. It was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman.
As the nation grapples with yet another assault on its education system, families, religious leaders, and security agencies continue to search for answers—and hope for the safe return of the missing pupils.
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