The Niger State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed that a total of 227 people, including 215 students and 12 teachers, were taken from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
According to CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who visited the community, parents were assured that ongoing collaborations with government officials and security agencies are focused on bringing the abducted victims home safely.
Several students managed to flee during the incident, and parents have begun retrieving their children, prompting the school to suspend operations.
The assault happened around 2 a.m. when armed men killed a security guard before seizing the students and staff. The truck used to transport the victims reportedly broke down, forcing the attackers to continue the journey into the forest on foot.
Govt reprimands school for reopening
The Niger State government criticised the school for reopening despite earlier warnings about heightened security risks. Police have verified the abduction and confirmed that tactical teams, alongside military units, have been deployed for a rescue mission.
Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora also reported that a security personnel sustained serious injuries during the attack. The incident adds to a growing pattern of assaults on educational institutions across northern Nigeria, prompting school closures in states such as Niger, Kwara, Katsina, and Plateau. In response to escalating threats, the Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate closure of 41 federal unity colleges nationwide.
Abduction over the years
Since 2014, more than 1,500 schoolchildren across northern Nigeria have reportedly been abducted, with such attacks now occurring beyond traditional hotspots. Analysts point to the long-term psychological impact on victims, interruptions to learning, and the financial incentives driving ransom-based kidnappings. Although measures like the Safe Schools Declaration and NSCDC-led protection efforts exist, inconsistent implementation continues to leave students and educators vulnerable to repeated assaults.