A deeply troubling abduction was confirmed today by the Niger State Government: students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area, have reportedly been kidnapped after an overnight raid. The government lashed out at the school for reopening despite prior warnings, raising serious questions about responsibility, security protocols, and accountability.
The Abduction: What the State Is Saying
The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, issued a somber statement acknowledging the abduction, but emphasized that the exact number of students and staff taken remains unconfirmed, as security agencies are still assessing the scale of the incident.
According to the state, intelligence had already flagged a heightened threat level in the area — particularly within parts of the “Niger North” senatorial district. In response, the government claims it ordered a temporary closure of boarding schools in those high-risk zones to prevent exactly this sort of tragedy.
Despite this, St. Mary’s Catholic School reportedly resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the government, a move that state officials argue exposed pupils and staff to “avoidable risk.”
Details of the Raid: How It Happened
Local sources and government communications suggest that the attackers struck in the very early hours, likely between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., when most students and staff would have been in dormitories. Reports say a coordinated group of gunmen stormed the compound, and in the chaos, abducted a number of pupils and teachers.
One account from community leaders claims that a school security guard was shot during the attack, pointing to the violent nature of the incursion.
Search & Rescue Operations Underway
According to Niger State authorities, security forces have been mobilized immediately following the attack. The police, in coordination with military units, are said to be combing nearby forests and surrounding communities in an intensified search-and-rescue effort.
The government called on parents, community leaders, and all stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could help locate the abducted individuals.
Government’s Frustration: A Failure to Heed Warnings
Perhaps one of the most biting parts of the government’s reaction is its frustration with the school administration. By reopening in defiance of state orders, St. Mary’s is being blamed for putting students and staff in the path of danger.
Officials say this was not just negligence — it was a direct violation of a security advisory that had been issued weeks earlier. The implication: the school was aware (or should have been) of the risk and made a decision that exposed its community to severe harm.
Conflicting Numbers & Reports
- Some local sources and community leaders claim over 100 students and staff may have been abducted in the raid.
- Meanwhile, other accounts — including those cited by state officials — are more cautious: they say the number is not yet verified.
- According to one media report, more than 50 students were taken.
This wide variation underscores how chaotic and fluid the situation remains in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Community and Religious Leaders Respond
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, along with the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, has strongly condemned the raid, calling the incident a “barbaric and inhuman” act. The bishop of Kontagora, Most Rev. Yohana Dauwa Bulus, expressed deep concern for the abducted pupils and staff, and assured the public that church leadership is working hand-in-hand with security agencies and community leaders to secure their safe return.
Stakes and Bigger Picture
This kidnapping comes hot on the heels of other high-profile abductions, fuelling growing alarm that schools across insecure regions remain prime targets for banditry and terror operations. The fact that the government had already issued a threat warning but was apparently ignored by St. Mary’s heightens debates over school security, risk management, and accountability in states with poor intelligence-to-action pipelines.
It also deepens concerns that state directives may not be respected by private institutions — especially where revenue and education are concerned — putting children’s lives at even greater risk.
What Comes Next: What Stakeholders Must Do
For the safe resolution of this crisis, several actions are now critical:
- Accelerate rescue operations: Security agencies must intensify ground, air, and intelligence-led operations to recover the abducted children and staff quickly and safely.
- Transparent investigation: The government needs to publicly clarify the full chain of events: how prior intelligence was handled, why the school was allowed to reopen, and who will be held accountable.
- Engage communities: Parents, local leaders, and church authorities should be fully engaged in the rescue effort to provide leads and pressure authorities to keep lines of communication open.
- Review school protocols: All boarding schools in high-risk zones may need to re-evaluate their risk assessment policies, particularly in light of state security advisories.
- Strengthen early warning systems: Intelligence sharing between state governments, security agencies, and school administrations must be drastically improved to prevent future attacks.
