Several students and staff have been abducted from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Details of the incident remain unclear, but sources said that the school was raided late on last night, with several students reportedly taken.
A church source in Niger State confirmed the attack but said official records were still being compiled. “Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will release an official statement later today,” he said.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said information would be provided later.
However, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants struck between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
He added that the exact number of abducted students and staff is still being assessed.
The incident follows a similar abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, intensifying concerns over the worsening security situation in schools across the region.
On Thursday, over 50 schools in Kwara State were shut down due to bandit attacks.
In response to the escalating insecurity, President Bola Tinubu cancelled planned trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate national security measures.