BY NEWS DESK, NOVEMBER 21, 2025 | 02:41 PM
Suspected terrorists have abducted some students of and members of staff of St. Mary’s School, school in Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the incident on Friday in Minna the Niger State Government said the number of victims was yet to be ascertained, adding that security agencies were still assessing the situation.
However, a resident of the area who preferred anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria that the abducted pupils and members of staff were not fewer than 100.
He said the terrorists stormed the school premises around 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. and abducted the victims
Abubakar Usman Secretary to Niger Government, in a statement condemned the incident.
Mr Usman said the incident occurred in spite of earlier intelligence reports indicating heightened security threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
According him, the government, based on the intelligence, had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected zone.
He said, however St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the government, thereby exposing pupils and staffers to danger.
The SGG said security agencies had commenced full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.
He further said that the state government was in close contact with relevant security formations and would give updates as more information becomes available.
He urged school proprietors, community leaders and stakeholders to comply strictly with government security advisories.
Mr Usman appealed to the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in their operations.
The Niger state Police Command confirmed the incident.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said police tactical teams, alongside military personnel and other security agencies, have been deployed to the area and are currently combing surrounding forests in an effort to rescue the abducted victims.
Mr Abiodun said the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safe rescue of the students and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing security operations.
“The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21st November, 2025 at about 2.00am, report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the School’s hostel”, the statement partly reads.
He further disclosed that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate action would be taken against the school management for allegedly disregarding the state government’s directive to close schools in the area due to heightened security threats.
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