Suspected terrorists have abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, in an attack that has deepened fears over worsening insecurity in the region.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, just three days after the abduction of 25 female students from Maga Comprehensive Girls Secondary School in Kebbi State, where the school’s vice principal was killed.
The Niger State Government confirmed the attack in Minna but said the exact number of victims had not yet been determined as security agencies were still assessing the situation.
However, a resident, who requested anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria,NAN, that more than 100 pupils and school staff were taken away by the attackers, who reportedly invaded the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Secretary to the State Government,SSG, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, condemned the incident in a statement, stressing that it occurred in spite of earlier intelligence warnings about heightened security threats in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.
He said the government had already ordered the suspension of all construction works and the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected zone based on the threat alert.
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Usman stated that St. Mary’s School went ahead to resume academic activities without communicating with the government or seeking mandatory security clearance, a move that left its pupils and workers vulnerable.
He said security operatives had launched a full-scale investigation alongside search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.
He added that the state government was maintaining close contact with security formations and would issue further updates as more information becomes available.
The SSG urged school proprietors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strictly adhere to security directives aimed at preventing such tragedies.
He also appealed to residents to stay calm and support ongoing operations by providing timely and helpful information.
The Niger State Police Command had yet to issue a statement on the incident as of press time.
NAN
