Gunmen have kidnapped an undisclosed number of students during an attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State.

It was learnt that the attackers stormed the school, said to be a private Catholic school located in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, in the early hours of Friday.

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Sources said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, riding on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van.

They were said to have shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him with serious injuries.

A source in Agwara who confirmed the incident said, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.”

Another source claimed that some teachers were also forcibly taken away during the attack.

“In the middle of the night, our community was shaken by a deeply tragic event. Bandits invaded St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State. A Catholic private boarding school for boys and girls.

“Students and teachers were forcefully taken away during the attack.

“This is an extremely distressing moment for families, the communities, and Niger State as a whole. These are innocent young students and dedicated educators whose lives and futures are now at risk. Their safety must be a priority,” the source said.

As of the time of this report, the exact number of abducted individuals had yet to be confirmed by authorities.

However, community sources fear that the number of people kidnapped may be significant, with some claiming that it could exceed 100.

Police Confirm Abduction 

Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the students.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said tactical units, alongside military components and other security operatives, had been deployed to the area.

Abiodun stated that the combined security forces were currently conducting extensive search operations across the surrounding forests in an effort to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted students.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.

Elleman, however, said that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, stressing that appropriate actions would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s earlier directive ordering the closure of schools in the area due to heightened security threats.

School Ignored Red Alert — Govt

The Niger State Government has condemned the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s School in the Papiri area of Agwara Local Government Area, describing the incident as “deeply saddening and avoidable”.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, the government confirmed that the exact number of abducted pupils has not yet been established, as security agencies are still carrying out assessments and gathering accurate information.

The statement revealed that the government had earlier received credible intelligence indicating elevated security threats across parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.

“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk. Security agencies have since commenced a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils,” the statement partly read.

Catholic Diocese Raises Safety Concerns

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, while condemning the abduction, described the incident as shocking and deeply troubling.

It also expressing concern for the safety and well-being of the abducted victims.

“The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora strongly condemns this attack and expresses deep concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families,” a statement signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Joseph, partly read.

Deadly Abductions

The Niger attack is the latest in a series of abductions involving schoolchildren.

It came less than a week after bandits kidnapped 26 girls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State.

The attack on the Kebbi school claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was reportedly killed while trying to prevent the bandits from taking the girls away.

It also follows the abductions of at least 30 worshippers during an attack at a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, which left three people dead.

President Bola Tinubu had condemned the attacks and commiserated with the families of those affected.

Tinubu also visited the Maga through the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.