By Ayomide Otitoju
Gunmen have reportedly abducted an undisclosed number of students and possibly some teachers during a raid on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The private Catholic school was attacked in the early hours of Friday.
According to sources, the assailants arrived in large numbers, riding over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van. The gunmen reportedly shot the school gatekeeper, leaving him seriously injured.
A resident of Agwara confirmed the incident, stating, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.” Another source added that several teachers were also forcibly taken during the attack.
“In the middle of the night, our community was shaken by a deeply tragic event. Bandits invaded St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school, taking students and teachers. This is an extremely distressing moment for families and the community, as the lives and futures of innocent young students and educators are now at risk,” the source said.
As of this report, authorities had not confirmed the exact number of those abducted, but community members fear the figure could exceed 100.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the abduction, with Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun stating that tactical units, military personnel, and other security operatives had been deployed to the area. The combined forces are conducting extensive searches across surrounding forests to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, urged residents to remain calm and provide credible information to support the ongoing rescue operations. Elleman also said the incident would be thoroughly investigated, noting that appropriate actions would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s earlier directive ordering school closures in high-risk areas.
The attack in Niger is the latest in a series of violent abductions targeting schoolchildren. It follows the kidnapping of 26 girls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State, less than a week earlier. That raid claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was reportedly killed while trying to prevent the abduction.
The Niger raid also comes after the abduction of at least 30 worshippers during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, which left three people dead.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks and commiserated with the affected families. He also visited Maga through Vice President Kashim Shettima to assess the situation and support relief efforts.
