By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
AGAIN, GUNMEN struck in Niger State barely one week after the Maga kidnapping of 25 girls, with armed attackers invading St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area and abducting students and members of staff in the early hours of Friday, where they made away with unconfirmed number of girls.
Information emerging from the community indicated that the attack occurred between 2.00am and 4.00am, with residents reporting that the gunmen arrived in large numbers, moving on more than 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van before gaining entry into the Catholic boarding school.
The school’s gatekeeper was shot and left with serious injuries during the invasion as pupils were said to be preparing for their morning routine.
Niger Government Blames Catholic School Management
The Niger State Government confirmed the development, stating in an official release that it received “with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area.”
According to the statement signed by Abubakar Usman, secretary to the state government, the exact number of abducted students “is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.”
The government noted that prior intelligence had indicated an increased threat level in parts of the northern senatorial district, prompting directives suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone.
The statement added that St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state, contrary to earlier government instructions meant to limit exposure to rising security threats.
According to the release, security agencies have commenced full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations. “
The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available,” the statement said.
It urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly comply with security advisories, stressing that the protection of lives, “especially those of our children,” remains the administration’s priority.
Community sources who witnessed the attack said the assailants operated for nearly an hour, moving through parts of the school compound before forcing students and teachers into the vehicles and motorcycles they arrived with.
One source described the attack as a “deeply tragic event” that left the community in shock as both learners and educators were taken away.
Another resident in Agwara confirmed that the incident occurred between 3,00am and 4.00am, though the individual noted that the number of abducted persons had not been established at the time.
Other residents expressed fear that the total figure could exceed earlier circulating estimates, which varied from 52 to as high as 100.
Accounts gathered from the area indicated that the attackers moved swiftly and fired shots to frighten students and staff members before herding them out of their dormitories and the surrounding buildings.
Reports from other individuals familiar with the incident said several teachers were among those taken.
The injured school guard was rushed for medical attention following gunshot wounds sustained during the attack, as residents struggled to comprehend the scale of the overnight raid.
Security agencies later confirmed the incident.
The Niger State Police Command, through its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, issued a statement explaining that tactical units had been deployed alongside military components and other security operatives to launch extensive search operations across the surrounding forests.
According to the police, the combined team of security personnel is currently pursuing leads intended to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students and staff members.
Also, Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, appealed to residents to remain calm and assist security personnel by providing credible and timely information that could support the ongoing rescue mission.
Police authorities emphasised that the situation would undergo thorough investigation, and they also signalled possible administrative consequences for the school’s management after noting that the state government had earlier ordered the closure of schools within the high-risk zone. CP Elleman stated that appropriate actions would be taken in line with established security directives.
The attack adds to a succession of similar violence targeting schools in recent weeks.
Catalogue of Abductions
This incident in Papiri comes shortly after the abduction of 25 or 26 girls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.
During that assault, the school’s vice principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, was killed while attempting to stop the kidnappers, and a security guard, Ali Shehu, sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand.
The pattern of attacks has fuelled renewed concern among communities facing persistent threats from armed groups that have repeatedly targeted educational institutions.
Recent events also include the kidnapping of at least 30 worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, where three people lost their lives.
These attacks have continued to draw national attention, with the Presidency previously responding to the Maga abduction.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack on the Kebbi school and expressed condolences to affected families, while Vice President Kashim Shettima visited the community on behalf of the President earlier in the week.
State officials in Niger reiterated that intelligence alerts had been ongoing for weeks, prompting precautionary measures intended to reduce exposure of vulnerable institutions.
The state government also explained that its earlier advisory on school closures was driven by credible warnings suggesting that coordinated attacks were likely across parts of the northern district.
The statement issued on Friday underlined that compliance with state directives is critical in safeguarding children and maintaining public safety in the face of repeated security threats.
Residents in Agwara reported heightened anxiety following the overnight assault as families waited for information regarding their missing children.
Some parents who gathered around the school premises at dawn said they were shocked by the scale of the attack, noting that the community had experienced previous security incidents but none of this magnitude.
Others urged state and federal authorities to intensify rescue efforts and restore security across affected localities.
Local leaders have continued engaging security operatives as search operations expand into neighbouring forests and riverine areas.
Community informants said security personnel were seen deploying additional units by midday on Friday as joint forces pressed deeper into remote terrain in an effort to track the movement of the attackers.
Earlier accounts suggesting that the attackers travelled with more than 60 motorcycles prompted expanded aerial and ground searches across wider sections of the border region.
Authorities remain cautious in giving numerical figures, noting that fluctuations in community accounts can complicate early reporting after large-scale abductions.
For now, state officials continue to rely on on-ground security assessments to determine accurate numbers and track the progress of the rescue mission.
The Niger State Government stated that updates would be issued as soon as verified information becomes available.
Catholic School Confirmed Armed Attackers And Pupils’ Abductions
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday, noting that the attack occurred between 1:00am and 3:00am and caused widespread fear within the school community.
Early Friday morning, armed attackers invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of pupils, students, teachers, and a security guard who was shot during the assault.
According to the Diocese, security agencies were immediately notified and have begun coordinated efforts aimed at securing the safe return of those taken.
The Bishop assured parishioners that the Diocese is working closely with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities as part of ongoing rescue efforts.
The Diocese urged the public to remain calm, support security operations, and continue praying for the safe recovery of all abducted persons. It reaffirmed its commitment to child protection and pledged to issue further updates once verified information becomes available.
Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, Diocesan Secretary, conveyed the Church’s sympathy to affected families and prayed for the swift release of the victims.
