Authorities probe the Niger State school abduction in Papiri after terrorists seized pupils during a midnight attack

Niger State Governor Umar Bago on Friday condemned the Niger State school abduction in the Papiri community after terrorists stormed St Mary’s School overnight and seized an unconfirmed number of pupils and staff.

Also read: Palladino confident of strong Lookman relationship

The assault plunged the remote Agwara Local Government Area into fear as families awaited clarity on who had been taken.

Early reports from local residents and church officials suggested that several pupils were abducted during the attack, which occurred between 2.00 a.m. and 3.00 a.m.

Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Department for Disaster and Relief in Agwara, confirmed the incident by telephone, adding that officials were still compiling the exact number of victims.

A senior source within the Catholic Church in Niger State said the institution was assessing the situation and would issue an official statement later.

Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, said details would be provided once the command concluded its preliminary checks.

In a separate report on Friday, Arise News stated that 52 pupils may have been taken, although state authorities were yet to verify that figure.

The uncertainty deepened anxiety in Papiri, where parents gathered early in the morning seeking information and comfort.

The attack follows a disturbing pattern of school-related violence across northern Nigeria. Just days earlier, terrorists kidnapped 25 pupils in Maga, Kebbi State.

On Thursday, more than 50 schools were closed in Kwara State due to escalating bandit activity, underscoring a deteriorating security climate that has left communities feeling vulnerable.

President Bola Tinubu cancelled scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the national response to the worsening crisis.

The President’s decision signalled a renewed effort to stabilise affected regions and reassure citizens amid growing concern.

Governor Bago confirmed the Papiri attack in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman.

The statement described the abduction as heartbreaking and reaffirmed the administration’s security directive for schools across Niger State.

Authorities continued combing the area on Friday afternoon, while rescue operations and negotiations had yet to be publicly confirmed.

Despite the chaos, community members showed remarkable resilience, gathering resources and supporting distressed families in a powerful display of solidarity.

Also read: Lagos traffic alert issued ahead of 2025 city race

The Focus Keyword appeared again when Governor Bago urged federal backing to curb the rising wave of assaults that have made the Niger State school abduction a symbol of the broader insecurity afflicting the region.