Terrorists Raid Catholic School in Niger, Abduct Students, Staff

Terrorists have reportedly seized an unspecified number of students and staff from St. Mary's School, a Catholic institution in the Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to sources who spoke with Daily Trust, multiple students were taken during the overnight attack on the school.

A source within a Catholic church in the state verified the incident, noting that the school is currently reviewing its records to determine the exact number of victims.

"Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day," he said.

Speaking on the incident, the Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would provide details later.

Meanwhile, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the attack via telephone.

According to him, terrorists invaded the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., adding that officials were still working to verify the number of abducted students and staff.

The latest abduction follows a similar incident in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, raising further alarm over escalating threats to schools in the region.

Recall that on Thursday, over 50 schools were shut down in Kwara State due to widespread bandit attacks.

In response to the worsening security situation, President Bola Tinubu cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to oversee rescue efforts.

Security operatives comprising police tactical units, military components and others have launched a coordinated search for the abducted students of St. Mary Secondary School, Papiri Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Niger State Police Command spokesman, SP W. A Abiodun told DAILY POST that the incident occurred early hours of Friday.

He said the armed men invaded the school premises at about 2:00 am and “abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the hostel”.

“However, police tactical units, military components and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescue the abducted students.

“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman reiterated the Command’s commitment to rescue the students unhurt, and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security operations to rescue the students,” Abiodun added.

In the past few days, the terrorist attacks have been on the rise in different parts of Nigeria.

The federal government recently said fresh attacks by terrorists and bandits in Nigeria were triggered by recent pronouncements made by the United States President Donald Trump, a claim that has not been established.