The Niger State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria b has officially confirmed that a total of 227 individuals, comprising 215 students and 12 teachers, were abducted from St. Mary’s School located in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The abduction has sent shockwaves across the state and the nation, highlighting the growing insecurity challenges facing educational institutions in northern Nigeria.
CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who personally visited the affected community, assured parents and guardians that ongoing engagements and collaborations with government authorities, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders are focused on ensuring the safe return of all abducted victims. He emphasized that no effort is being spared in negotiating the release of the students and staff while maintaining their safety and wellbeing as the top priority.
Several students were able to escape during the abduction, returning to their families, while parents have rushed to retrieve their children, prompting the school to immediately suspend operations. Eyewitnesses reported that the armed men struck at around 2 a.m., killing a security guard stationed at the school before forcibly seizing the students and staff. Initial reports indicate that the truck used to transport the abducted individuals broke down, compelling the attackers to continue their movement into the forested area on foot, further prolonging the ordeal for the victims.
Govt reprimands school for reopening
The Niger State government has criticized St. Mary’s School for resuming operations despite repeated warnings regarding heightened security risks in the area. Authorities highlighted that the reopening, without adequate protective measures, contributed to the vulnerability of students and staff. Police officials have verified the abduction and confirmed that tactical teams, in conjunction with military units, have been deployed to the forest and surrounding areas in an ongoing rescue operation. The government has emphasized that such coordinated security responses are essential to curbing recurring attacks on educational institutions across the region.
Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora added that a security personnel sustained serious injuries during the violent attack, further illustrating the high level of danger posed to school staff and protection operatives. The abduction adds to a worrying trend of assaults on schools throughout northern Nigeria, with recent attacks prompting school closures in states including Niger, Kwara, Katsina, and Plateau. In light of the escalating threats, the Federal Ministry of Education has mandated the immediate closure of 41 federal unity colleges nationwide as a precautionary measure to safeguard students and educators from further attacks.
Abduction over the years
Since 2014, over 1,500 schoolchildren across northern Nigeria have reportedly been kidnapped in a series of high-profile abductions, with incidents increasingly spreading beyond traditional hotspots. Analysts point to the severe long-term psychological impacts on abducted victims, including trauma, fear of attending school, and disruptions to formal learning. The financial incentives driving ransom-based kidnappings are cited as a significant motivator behind such attacks, perpetuating cycles of violence and insecurity. While frameworks like the Safe Schools Declaration and protection measures led by the NSCDC exist, inconsistent implementation and insufficient coverage have left students and educators vulnerable, making repeated assaults an ongoing national concern. Authorities continue to call for enhanced security measures, community vigilance, and effective policy enforcement to mitigate the risk of future abductions and restore confidence in Nigeria’s education sector.[/p>