Tension has gripped Niger State after terrorists launched a midnight assault on St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in the Papiri Community of Agwara Local Government Area, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff.
Multiple sources said that several students were taken during the late-night raid.
A source from one of the Catholic churches in Niger State confirmed the incident, explaining that the school was still trying to determine the exact number of victims.
“Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day,” he said.
The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the attack via telephone, revealing that the terrorists struck in the early hours of Friday morning.
He said the “attackers invaded the school between 2am and 3am, adding that the actual number of abducted students and staff had yet to be determined as authorities continue their assessments.”
The assault comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening nationwide concerns over worsening insecurity in schools across the North.
The crisis deepened further on Thursday when over 50 schools were shut down in four Kwara State local government areas due to rampaging bandits.
As the situation escalates, President Bola Tinubu has cancelled his trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the national response to the deepening security challenges.
Niger govt confirms incident
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Umar Bago, has also confirmed the incident in a statement via his official Facebook handle on Friday.
According to the statement, “Niger State Government Condemns Kidnapping of pupils in Papiri area in Agwara Local Government, Reiterates Earlier Security Directive.”
“The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area.
“The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,” the release noted.
The starement was e-signed by the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alh. Abubakar Usman.