Armed men have attacked St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers in a coordinated overnight raid.
The attackers reportedly stormed the private Catholic boarding school between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on Friday, arriving in large numbers on more than 60 motorcycles and a van. Witnesses said the gunmen fired indiscriminately and shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him severely injured before gaining access to the premises.
Community sources described the invasion as highly organised. One resident in Agwara confirmed, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.”
Another source added that both students and teachers were taken, calling the attack a “deeply distressing moment” for families and the entire state.
Some local officials said the number of abducted persons could exceed 100, though this figure has not been independently verified. Bello Gidi, media aide to the Agwara Local Government Chairman, confirmed the abductions, stating, “The information that is reaching us is that they have kidnapped over 100 students and teachers. Also, it is a mixed school with boys and girls.” Other community members, however, reported lower figures, saying “more than a dozen” were taken.
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the attack. Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said tactical teams, the military, and other security operatives had been deployed to the area and were conducting extensive search operations in surrounding forests to rescue the abductees.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, urged residents to remain calm and provide security agencies with useful information.
Elleman also criticised the school for continuing academic activities despite an earlier government directive ordering the closure of schools in the area over rising security concerns.
The attack adds to a growing list of deadly abductions targeting schools and communities. Five days earlier, terrorists abducted about 25 female students from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku.
In Kwara State, at least 30 worshippers were kidnapped during an assault on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, where three people were killed.
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent wave of attacks and sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi State earlier in the week to visit the affected community.
The Niger State Government, through its Secretary, Abubakar Usman, said it received the news of the latest abduction “with deep sadness,” adding that security assessments and rescue operations were underway.
About 52 students may have been taken, though official verification is still pending.
As security agencies deepen search-and-rescue efforts, families and residents of Agwara remain in fear, hoping for the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.
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