Niger State Government has condemned the abduction of students from St. Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of the state, saying the attack occurred despite prior intelligence warnings.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of Friday, involved armed men storming the school and abducting an unconfirmed number of students.
In a statement on Friday, Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the government had received intelligence warning of heightened threats in the area, prompting directives for the temporary shutdown of boarding schools and a halt to construction activities.
“We had credible security alerts and directed all boarding schools in the zone to close,” Usman said. “St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed activities without notifying the government or seeking clearance.”
He added that the exact number of abducted students was still being compiled as security agencies continue search-and-rescue operations. “Security agencies have begun full investigations,” Usman said.
The government urged school operators and community leaders to strictly follow official advisories, emphasizing that the protection of lives, especially children, remains a top priority.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Inuwa, senior legislative assistant to Jafar Muhammad Ali, Member representing Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency, said the attack occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. He added that the number of abducted students has yet to be confirmed.
Inuwa noted that the school, located near the Borgu axis close to a notorious terrorist stronghold around Kainji Dam, may have been spared from a larger attack due to the presence of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft. “The timely arrival of aircraft in the area scared off the bandits, who escaped quickly with a few of our students,” he said.
Nigerian military has deployed special operatives and ground troops to pursue the attackers, who are believed to be moving through forested paths towards Zamfara State. Security analysts suggest elements of ISWAP, operating along the forested border connecting Zamfara, northern Niger, and Kebbi States, may be responsible.
The attack on St. Mary’s School follows the abduction of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, highlighting the continuing vulnerability of schools across Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions.
