The Niger State Government has revealed that St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, defied official security warnings before terrorists abducted several students and staff members in an early morning raid on Friday.
Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government, disclosed that the school reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state despite heightened security threats in Niger north.
“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,” Usman stated in an official release.
The government secretary expressed deep concern over the abduction, which occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Friday, despite earlier intelligence indicating elevated security risks in parts of the region.
Security agencies have launched full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and staff. The exact number of victims remains unclear as authorities continue their assessment.
“The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available,” Usman said, adding that the protection of lives, especially children, remains the administration’s utmost priority.
The government has issued a stern warning to school proprietors and community leaders to strictly adhere to security advisories. “The government urges school proprietors, community leaders and all stakeholders to adhere strictly to security advisories issued in the interest of public safety,” the statement emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that tactical units are combing forests across the region in efforts to rescue the Catholic school students and staff.
The Papiri attack follows closely on the heels of another mass abduction in neighboring Kebbi State, where gunmen kidnapped 25 female students from Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga. That attack claimed the life of Hassan Makuku, the school’s vice-principal, while Ali Shehu, a security guard, sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand.
The back-to-back school abductions have intensified concerns about the deteriorating security situation across Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions, forcing President Bola Tinubu to cancel international trips to coordinate national response efforts.
