The Niger State Government has condemned the abduction of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, expressing concern that the school resumed operations despite clear security warnings issued for the region.
Armed men invaded the school in the early hours of Friday, between 2am and 3am, whisking away an undisclosed number of students and employees.
In a statement on Friday, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, said the attack occurred even though authorities had earlier received intelligence about heightened security threats across parts of Niger North. Despite these warnings, the school reportedly reopened without notifying or seeking clearance from the government.
Usman noted that the state had previously issued directives suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a safety measure.
“In response to credible intelligence, the State Government had earlier suspended all construction works and directed the closure of boarding schools in the area. Unfortunately, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen without clearance,” the SSG said.
He added that security agencies have launched a full-scale investigation alongside a search-and-rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and staff.
“The Niger State Government remains in close contact with all security formations and will provide continuous updates as the situation unfolds. We urge school proprietors, community leaders and stakeholders to strictly comply with security advisories issued for public safety,” Usman stated.
He emphasized that safeguarding lives—especially those of schoolchildren—remains the administration’s highest priority.
The attack follows another tragic incident in Kebbi State, where 25 female students were kidnapped from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga. The school’s vice-principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed during the invasion, while a security guard, Ali Shehu, sustained a gunshot injury.