The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of students and staff of Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, following a bandit invasion on Friday.

Bandits were reported to have stormed the school between 2am and 3am, whisking away an unverified number of pupils and staff. Earlier, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief in Agwara LGA, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident by phone but withheld details.

In an official statement, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, said intelligence received earlier had prompted the state to order the closure of all boarding schools in the threatened areas. He noted that the affected Catholic school defied this directive and reopened without notifying the government.

Usman said:

“The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.”

According to him, the government had issued a security advisory after credible intelligence indicated heightened threats across parts of the northern senatorial district.

“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“St. Mary’s School, however, proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.”

He added that security agencies have launched a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.

“The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available.”

The government urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to security advisories to avoid preventable tragedies, stressing that safeguarding the lives of children remains a top priority.

The latest attack comes as insecurity resurges across some northern states. Recently, the Kwara State Government shut down over 50 schools due to similar security concerns.

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Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment, marking a major climax to a decade-long trial.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, comes four years after Kanu was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and returned to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.

Kanu was convicted on all seven counts bordering on terrorism, despite pleading not guilty throughout the trial.

The judgment was delivered in his absence after he insisted that the court would not deliver judgment in the case. His refusal to participate prompted Justice Omotosho to order security operatives to remove him from the courtroom over what the judge described as “unruly behaviour.”

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that several of Kanu’s broadcasts on Radio Biafra amounted to acts of terrorism, noting that his rhetoric was intentionally violent and targeted at destabilizing the country.

He added that Kanu’s sit-at-home directives in the South-East constituted terrorism, describing the order as a violation of citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of movement.

The court further stated that evidence before it showed Kanu had carried out “preparatory acts of terrorism” through broadcasts in which he allegedly ordered attacks on police and military personnel.

Justice Omotosho concluded that Kanu committed acts of terrorism against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, warranting the sentence imposed.

The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death penalty on Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his conviction on seven counts of terrorism on Thursday.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment after ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Kanu guilty on all seven charges.

Moments after the conviction, the Federal Government’s lead counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, asked the court to apply the maximum punishment prescribed under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Awomolo told the court that several of the offences for which Kanu was found guilty carry a mandatory death sentence.

“My Lord, consequent upon the conviction, nothing further remains but the lawful imposition of sentence. The punishment prescribed for the offences in Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six, pursuant to Section 12H of the Terrorism Prevention Amendment Act 2013, is death,” Awomolo said.

“With all sense of humility, I say as a prosecutor that this court has no discretion in that regard. The only sentence Your Lordship can impose for Counts One, Two, Four, Five and Six is death, because the law empowers you to do so, and we expect that you will.”

Sentencing is expected to follow after the court considers all submissions from both sides.

WATCH THE PROSECUTOR SPEAK

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been convicted on terrorism charges filed against him by the Nigerian government. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho.

Kanu, who had previously resisted the court proceedings and refused to participate in his defence, was found guilty on all counts. According to Justice Omotosho, the court had no choice but to rely on the evidence presented by the prosecution after Kanu declined to engage in his defence.

“As an Apostle of Jesus Christ, I begged Kanu passionately to enter his defence, but he obstinately refused,” Justice Omotosho said.

Key Convictions

• Terrorism through broadcasts: Kanu was found guilty of inciting violence through broadcasts linked to IPOB activities.
• International terrorism: The court ruled that Kanu qualifies as an international terrorist.
• Sit-at-home orders in South-East Nigeria: He was convicted for enforcing sit-at-home directives that disrupted businesses and daily life across the South-East states.
• Murder of Ahmed Gulak: The court linked Kanu and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to the murder of the former politician in Imo State.
• Leadership of a proscribed organisation: Kanu was also convicted for leading IPOB, which is officially listed as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

Justice Omotosho emphasized that Kanu’s refusal to enter a defence left the court with no alternative but to act on the incontrovertible evidence presented by the prosecution.

The court’s ruling marks a major development in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and separatist agitation in the South-East.

More updates to follow…

A high-powered Nigerian government delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu met with U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday amid escalating allegations of Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria.

The visit comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and ordered an investigation into claims that Christians are being targeted. The move followed comments by Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, who recently backed a two-state solution to the Israel–Gaza conflict, triggering intensified scrutiny from U.S. political and religious groups.

Trump tasked several lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore, to lead the inquiry. Despite repeated attempts by the Nigerian government to counter what it describes as a false narrative, U.S. officials have continued to act on growing claims that Christian communities face systemic persecution.

Tensions escalated further on Tuesday when American rapper Nicki Minaj was invited to the United Nations to testify against Nigeria in a session organised with the backing of the U.S. Mission to the UN. Nigerian officials were barred from attending the hearing, prompting a strong protest.

Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, condemned the move, likening it to “shaving our head in our absence.”

Ribadu Meets U.S. Congressmen

On Wednesday, Ribadu and senior government officials met Congressman Moore in Washington, D.C., to present Nigeria’s position and address concerns surrounding insecurity and religious violence.

The delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye, among other top security officials.

Moore confirmed the meeting on social media, describing the engagement as “open and constructive.” He said discussions focused on terrorism, security cooperation, and the protection of vulnerable communities across Nigeria.

“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria,” Moore said.

He added that he had insisted the U.S. expects “tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Moore said the United States is willing to deepen collaboration with Nigeria to combat Boko Haram, ISWAP, and violent extremist groups, especially in the Northeast and Middle Belt.

He issued a strong warning, emphasising that both Congress and Trump are aligned on holding Nigeria accountable:

“President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria.”

As of Wednesday night, the Nigerian delegation had not released any public statement regarding the engagement.

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