Joseph Isangura
Armed assailants have kidnapped a large number of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic Boarding School in the Papiri community of Niger State, Nigeria, in a brazen early morning attack, according to authorities and local sources.
Residents report that nearly 100 individuals, including both pupils and teachers, were taken when gunmen stormed the campus late Friday evening.
The raid occurred around 8:00 p.m. local time, and witnesses said the attackers entered the school grounds with ease. Security forces, including police units and military personnel, have launched intensive operations in the surrounding forests to locate and rescue the hostages.
Officials confirmed that the abduction prompted immediate investigations, although the exact number of missing students has not been fully established. The Niger State Government previously ordered all boarding schools in the affected area to suspend activities as a precautionary measure. Authorities noted that St. Mary’s had resumed operations without seeking the required government approval, which may have exposed students and staff to unnecessary risk.
“Unfortunately, St. Mary’s continued its operations without informing or obtaining clearance from the State Government, placing students and staff in avoidable danger,” state officials said in a statement.
The incident comes just five days after more than 20 schoolgirls were abducted from a government-run girls’ school in the neighboring Kebbi State, raising serious concerns about Nigeria’s ability to safeguard educational institutions.
Also Read; Mining Firm Highlights Commitment To Safer Tailings Systems
Experts note that such attacks are part of a troubling trend of school kidnappings in Nigeria that has targeted students across several northern states.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, which oversees St. Mary’s, has condemned the abduction and is working closely with security agencies to secure the safe return of all students and staff. Church leaders appealed to the public to remain calm and to support authorities in their rescue efforts.
Parents and community members have expressed shock and anxiety over the attack, highlighting the growing fear surrounding the safety of schools in Nigeria. Authorities emphasize that they are leaving no effort unturned in their bid to rescue the victims.
Security analysts stress the importance of reinforcing school security measures, particularly in regions prone to armed raids, and warn that effective coordination between educational institutions and government agencies is crucial to prevent similar incidents in the future.
