The Niger State Government has blamed the management of Saint Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, for failing to adhere to earlier security directives issued before the abduction of students and staff on Thursday, November 21.
According to official reports, armed assailants invaded the school around 2:00 a.m., abducting an unconfirmed number of pupils and workers. The attack comes at a time of rising insecurity across parts of the North, prompting authorities to issue multiple warnings to educational institutions in vulnerable zones.
In a statement by the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, the government revealed that it had ordered the closure of all boarding schools in the affected district based on credible intelligence. However, the Catholic school allegedly disregarded the directive.
Usman stated:
“The Niger state government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.
The state received prior intelligence report indicating an increased threat level in parts of the northern senatorial district.
In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.
St. Mary’s School, however, proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.
Security agencies have since commenced a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.
The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available.
The Government urges school proprietors, community leaders, and all stakeholders to adhere strictly to security advisories issued in the interest of public safety. The protection of lives, especially those of our children, remains the utmost priority of this administration.”
The state government has assured parents and residents that search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, with security agencies deployed to track the kidnappers and recover the victims.
This latest incident comes barely a week after 25 students were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive School, Maga, in Kebbi State, raising renewed concerns about the safety of schools in the northern region.
Authorities continue to appeal to school owners, religious institutions, and local leaders to strictly comply with security advisories to prevent further attacks.
