The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed that 227 people — including 215 pupils and students, and 12 teachers — were abducted when armed bandits stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours of Friday.
The terrifying assault — which occurred between 2am and 3am — plunged the quiet community into chaos, as gunmen overpowered local security and whisked away scores of children and their teachers under the cover of darkness.
Initial reports had placed the number of abductees in doubt, but in a Friday evening update, Daniel Atori, media aide to the Niger CAN chairman, issued a grim confirmation:
> “215 pupils and students, including 12 teachers, were taken during the raid.”
The incident was first reported by SaharaReporters.
A Well-Coordinated Night Raid
Multiple community members who visited the school shortly after sunrise described the attack as highly coordinated. According to them, the assailants moved with precision and operated for almost an hour without resistance.
Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara LGA, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the Agwara Local Government Chairman, both confirmed the incident.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, Gidi said:
> “Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers of St. Mary’s Papiri Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State.”
He added that early information suggested the number of abductees was massive:
> “The information reaching us is that they have kidnapped over 100 students and teachers. The school is a mixed school — boys and girls.”
Government Blames School for Ignoring Security Directive
In a strongly worded response, the Niger State Government accused the school of disregarding a critical security directive issued weeks earlier based on intelligence warnings.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the government said it received news of the attack “with deep sadness,” but insisted the tragedy could have been avoided.
According to the statement, security intelligence had revealed “an increased threat level in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District,” prompting the government to order:
Suspension of all construction activities, and
Temporary closure of all boarding schools in the high-risk zone.
However, the government lamented that St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without clearance.
> “Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk,” the statement read.
The government added that security agencies are still working to verify the exact number of abductees and coordinate rescue operations.
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