An unconfirmed number of students and staff have been abducted during a deadly raid on St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution located in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
While official details remain scarce, sources have confirmed to *Daily Trust* that the attack occurred overnight, with many students reportedly taken hostage during the assault.
A representative from one of the Catholic churches in Niger State acknowledged the incident but refrained from providing specifics, stating that the school is still compiling its records. “Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later today,” he said.
Attempts to obtain information from the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, were initially met with a promise of forthcoming details.
However, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, confirmed the attack via telephone. He revealed that terrorists stormed the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., and stressed that the exact number of abductees is yet unknown as security and rescue teams continue their investigations.
The attack follows closely on the heels of a similar mass kidnapping in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted, escalating fears about the worsening security threats facing schools in the region.
In response to escalating violence, over 50 schools were ordered closed in Kwara State on Thursday due to bandit activity.
Amid this ongoing crisis, President Bola Tinubu has canceled planned diplomatic trips to South Africa and Angola to focus on coordinating national efforts to combat insecurity.
