Niger Confirms Fresh School Attack, Blames Management for Ignoring Security Warning

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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