JUST-IN: Gunmen strike Catholic School in Niger State, kidnap students, staff

An unconfirmed number of students and staff have reportedly been kidnapped from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

Sources told reporters that several students were taken during a night raid on the school. A representative from one of the Catholic churches in the state confirmed the incident but said the school is still compiling exact figures.

“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,” the source said.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would provide further details later. Meanwhile, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, confirmed the attack over the phone.

He said the terrorists struck the school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., adding that the exact number of abducted students and staff is still being verified.

The incident follows a recent kidnapping in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were taken, raising concerns about the worsening security situation in schools across northern Nigeria. On Thursday, more than 50 schools in Kwara State were closed due to increased bandit activity.

NUJ FCT recalls that President Bola Tinubu recently cancelled trips to South Africa and Angola to personally coordinate the federal government’s response to the growing insecurity.