Terrorists early Friday morning invaded St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting over 100 students and teachers in one of the largest school kidnappings reported this year.
The attackers, described by community members as heavily armed, stormed the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. in what sources called a well coordinated operation. Residents who visited the scene after the incident confirmed the scale of the attack to SaharaReporters.
The Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara LGA, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the council chairman, both verified the incident.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, Gidi said:
“Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State.”
He added that initial reports from local contacts indicated that more than 100 persons — students and teachers combined — were taken, noting that the school is a mixed institution for both boys and girls.
Despite the high figures circulating locally, some community members told SaharaReporters that the exact number remains unclear, though they all confirmed that the abductees are “well above a dozen.” Security agencies have not yet released an official count.
When contacted, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said he was still working to confirm the details of the attack.
This latest abduction comes just five days after terrorists assaulted the Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, where about 25 female students were kidnapped and one staff member killed. A school guard was also injured as the attackers fired sporadically while students were preparing for morning routines.
The Papiri attack also follows a deadly raid earlier in the week on Rogun Village in Kpada District of Patigi LGA, Kwara State, where terrorists ambushed a police outpost and killed two security operatives during a fierce gun duel.
As insecurity escalates across northern Nigeria, education-focused communities continue to endure repeated assaults, heightening fear and concern among parents and residents
More details coming soon…
