Terrorists have reportedly abducted students and teachers at St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident was said to have occurred around 3am today.
Sources said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, riding on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van.
They were said to have shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him with serious injuries.
A source in Agwara who confirmed the incident said, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.”
Another source claimed that some teachers were also forcibly taken away during the attack.
“In the middle of the night, our community was shaken by a deeply tragic event. Bandits invaded St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State. A Catholic private boarding school for boys and girls.
“Students and teachers were forcefully taken away during the attack.
Secretary to the Niger state government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman who confirmed the incident said the number of pupils abducted cannot be ascertained for now.
According to him, “the exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.
Usman, in a statement, revealed that the attack occurred despite earlier intelligence pointing to an elevated threat level across parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
He said the government had, in response, issued a security directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the zone as a precautionary measure.
He added that security agencies have launched full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations aimed at ensuring the safe return of the abducted pupils.
The government also assured the public that it remains in close communication with security formations and will provide updates as the situation unfolds.
The state commissioner of police, Adamu Abdullahi Ellema who also confirmed the incidence said, “Police tactical units, military components and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescue the abducted students.
CP Adamu Elleman, called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
Elleman, however, said that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, stressing that appropriate actions would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s earlier directive ordering the closure of schools in the area due to heightened security threats.
The Niger attack is the latest in a series of abductions involving schoolchildren.
It came less than a week after bandits kidnapped 26 girls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State.
The attack on the Kebbi school claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was reportedly killed while trying to prevent the bandits from taking the girls away.
It also follows the abductions of at least 30 worshippers during an attack at a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, which left three people dead.
President Bola Tinubu had condemned the attacks and commiserated with the families of those affected.
Tinubu also visited the Maga through the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.