Armed bandits in Niger State launched a pre-dawn attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area, reportedly abducting several students and school workers in a night raid. The assault occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.,on thursday 20th according to local government sources and church officials, who are still working to ascertain the full number of missing persons.
A representative from the school’s affiliated Catholic church confirmed that the institution is still finalizing a casualty report and urged calm, saying a formal statement will be issued once all details are clear. The Niger State Police Command has acknowledged the incident; the state’s police spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said only that a report was being compiled and that more information would be shared later.
The raid adds to a deadly pattern: security experts say schools in northern Nigeria remain soft targets for kidnapping gangs, who often demand large ransoms. Community leaders and parents have expressed growing fear, calling for enhanced military and intelligence presence around educational institutions. Meanwhile, the government’s quick response will be scrutinized given recent security lapses and high public concern.
