The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of several pupils and staff of St. Mary’s School in the Papiri area of Agwara Local Government Area, describing the incident as both distressing and preventable.
In a statement on Friday, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said officials were still compiling the exact number of abducted persons as security agencies continued their assessment. He disclosed that the attack occurred despite earlier intelligence reports warning of heightened security threats across parts of Niger North.
Usman explained that the state government had ordered the temporary closure of all boarding schools and halted construction activities in the affected zone. However, St. Mary’s School allegedly reopened without notifying or seeking clearance, exposing students and staff to danger.
He said security agencies had launched a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils. The government urged all school owners and community leaders to comply strictly with security directives, stressing that protecting lives—especially those of children—remains a top priority.
Residents told reporters the attackers invaded the Catholic-run school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Friday, taking an unverified number of students. The Head of Disaster and Relief in Agwara LGA, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident but said the actual number of victims was still being verified.
Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said details would be released later.
The incident adds to rising concerns over school safety after recent abductions in Kebbi State and a deadly attack on a church in Kwara, where more than 20 worshippers were kidnapped, prompting the closure of over 50 schools in the state.
