Terrorists Abduct Students and Staff from Niger Catholic School
A number of students and staff of St Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were abducted early Friday after armed men attacked the school, according to official and eyewitness accounts. The incident occurred in the early hours when the attackers reportedly overpowered local security and moved several people into waiting vehicles. Details on the exact number of abductees remain unclear, as authorities are still compiling a full list of missing persons. Niger State Commissioner for Security, Abdulrahman Gimba, confirmed the attack, noting that “students and staff were taken.” He added that the government was working with security agencies to track the assailants and secure the victims’ release. The Niger State Government stated that intelligence received earlier had pointed to elevated threats in the area. Officials said schools under risk had been advised to remain closed until adequate clearance was issued, stressing that the school had reopened “against security advice.” The school management has not yet responded publicly to that claim. Premium Times reported that security operatives, including the police and military, have launched search-and-rescue efforts in the forests surrounding Agwara. Punch also reported that residents in Papiri had heard gunshots during the raid, prompting distress calls to local authorities. The attack follows another school abduction earlier in the week in Kebbi State, heightening concerns around the safety of educational institutions in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions. Officials say efforts are ongoing to determine the full scale of the abduction, while the community awaits confirmed information about the missing students and staff. The situation remains fluid as security agencies continue operations in the affected area.
| 2025-11-21 10:55:47