Armed bandits have abducted more than 200 pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack took place in the early hours of Friday morning, between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., according to statements from local authorities and church officials.
The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) initially reported that “227 persons, including teachers and students,” had been abducted in the raid.
Later, Daniel Atori, media aide to the CAN chairman in Niger State, Bulus Yohanna, stated in the evening: “From our record, 215 pupils and students, including 12 teachers, were abducted by the terrorists.”
Atori, who said he had returned to Papiri after meeting with the parents of the abducted children, urged calm.
“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful … we are actively collaborating with security Operatives, community leaders, and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees,” he said.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, in whose territory Papiri lies, strongly condemned the abduction.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, the Diocese confirmed that a security personnel was “badly shot” in the attack.
The Diocese said it was coordinating with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities to secure the safe return of the victims.
The Niger State Government, through its Secretary, Abubakar Usman, said the abduction happened despite earlier intelligence indicating elevated threat levels in the area.
According to Usman, the government had earlier issued a security advisory “suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.”
The State Government also said St. Mary’s “proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government” before the attack.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has deployed tactical units, alongside military components and other security agencies, to comb the surrounding forests in a bid to rescue the abducted pupils and staff.
SP Wasiu Abiodun, the state police spokesperson, appealed to local residents to stay calm and assist the rescue efforts by supplying credible information.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reiterated that the command was committed to rescuing the students “unhurt” and promised action against the school’s management over their reopening against government advisories.
This abduction follows a similar, brutal attack in Kebbi State, where 25 female students were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, and the school’s vice-principal, Malam Hassan Makaku, was shot and killed.
- Nnamdi Kanu Transferred to Sokoto Prison to Serve Life Sentence - November 21, 2025
- Over 200 Pupils, Teachers Abducted in Niger State Catholic School - November 21, 2025
- FG Orders Closure of 41 Unity Colleges Over Security Fears - November 21, 2025