Emerging reports have revealed that the Papiri community in Niger State has been thrown into fear and panic after armed militants launched a terrifying raid on a Catholic secondary school in the early hours of Friday, November 21. The attack led to the abduction of several students, adding to the growing list of violent incidents targeting educational institutions across northern Nigeria, which has raised serious concerns among residents, parents, and local authorities alike.
According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports, the incident reportedly occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., when heavily armed gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in Papiri. During the chaotic raid, an unspecified number of students were abducted, while some staff members were reportedly threatened. The sudden attack has left the local community in a state of shock and has intensified fears about the safety of schools in the region. Mohammed Inuwa, senior legislative aide to Rt. Hon. Jafar Muhammad Ali (Shattiman Borgu), who represents the Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrims Affairs, confirmed the attack to Legit.ng, acknowledging the severity of the situation and the urgent need for security intervention.
Local Authority Speaks
Speaking with Legit.ng, Inuwa stated: “Yeah, it happened around 3 to 4 am. And the number of students abducted is not yet confirmed. The police command of the local government is informed, and we are monitoring the situation closely.” He further emphasized that security agencies are working to verify the number of abducted students and ensure the safety of any survivors. However, he noted that efforts to obtain detailed updates from the security agencies have so far been limited due to the complexity and ongoing nature of the situation.
When contacted for comment, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, indicated that he would need time to verify the situation before providing an official statement. This delay has heightened concerns among parents and residents, who are calling for urgent action to rescue the abducted students and prevent further attacks in the state.
Social Media Alarm
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked widespread alarm on social media. A netizen, D English Alhaji, raised the issue online, claiming that over 100 students along with several teachers were abducted by the militants during the raid. The post quickly gained traction, attracting comments from concerned citizens and local media personalities. Arise TV anchor Rufai Oseni also shared the report, corroborating the scale of the abduction and emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention. He stated: “We are yet to recover the Kebbi girls, and now over 100 school children have been kidnapped last night at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary School in Agwara LG of Niger State.”
The alarming posts and videos circulating online have reignited debates about school security in northern Nigeria, with parents, local leaders, and civil society groups calling for immediate action to protect students and staff. The Nigerian government and security forces are under increasing pressure to respond decisively and ensure that schools remain safe environments for learning.
Check out posts below …
D English Alhaji revealed this morning that terrørists åbdûcted over 100 students and several teachers last night at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary School in Niger State💔😥 pic.twitter.com/006AnxxNqz
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) November 21, 2025
The disturbing attack has reignited conversations about the vulnerability of schools in the region and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to tackle terrorism and insecurity in northern Nigeria. Residents are appealing to both the federal and state governments to step up intelligence and rapid response efforts to rescue the abducted students and prevent future attacks. Community leaders have also vowed to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that schools are adequately protected, and that parents feel safe sending their children to class again. The incident serves as yet another grim reminder of the persistent threats to education and public safety in conflict-prone areas of the country.