By Obinna Uballa
Terrorists in the early hours of Friday launched a coordinated attack on St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers.
Reports say the assault, which occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., threw the quiet community into panic. Multiple residents who visited the school shortly after the attack confirmed the incident, describing the operation as “well-planned and swift.”
Local officials also verified the attack. Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara LGA, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the council chairman, both confirmed the mass abduction.
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 preliminary reports suggest “over 100 students and teachers” may have been taken, noting that the school is co-educational.
However, the figure has not been independently verified. Some community members estimated that “more than a dozen” children were abducted, but no official tally has been released.
Niger State Police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said he was still working to confirm the incident.
Friday’s attack comes barely five days after terrorists stormed Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, where they abducted about 25 female students, killed a staff member, and injured a security guard during an early-morning raid marked by heavy gunfire.
The latest abduction adds to a series of escalating assaults on schools across northern Nigeria. Earlier in the week, terrorists attacked Rogun Village in Kpada District of Patigi LGA, Kwara State, killing two security operatives after opening fire on a police outpost. A fierce gun battle reportedly lasted several minutes.
