- Catholic Diocese denies Niger State Government’s claim that St. Mary’s School ignored a security alert.
- Government insists the school reopened without clearance, exposing pupils to danger.
- CAN confirms the abduction toll has risen to 315, including students and teachers.
- Security agencies intensify search-and-rescue operations as nationwide school attacks rise.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has dismissed the Niger State Government’s assertion that St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri ignored a prior security directive before Friday’s abduction, calling the claim misleading and an attempt to shift blame.
The clarification came in a statement issued by Daniel Atori, Media Aide to Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who said neither the school nor the Education Secretary received any circular or warning from the government or security agencies. Bishop Yohanna explained that he returned to the village to meet worried parents and assure them that rescue efforts were in progress. According to him, the claim that the school disregarded official security instructions “was not true and never happened.”
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He questioned why a Catholic institution that had previously shut down immediately in 2022 over security rumours would now ignore a government directive. He also dismissed reports that some Reverend Sisters left for Abuja before the attack, describing it as unfounded speculation.
The diocese added that the Education Secretary confirmed he received no written or verbal directive concerning school closures, and the National Association of Private Schools also reported receiving no such communication. The bishop insisted that the school did not reopen without clearance and remained compliant with regulations.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government stood by its position. In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, officials maintained that credible intelligence earlier revealed rising threats in the Niger North Senatorial District. As a result, the government said it suspended construction activities and ordered boarding schools in high-risk areas to close temporarily.
The government argued that St. Mary’s School allegedly reopened without authorization, exposing pupils and staff to serious danger. Security agencies have since launched a full investigation while intensifying search-and-rescue operations. Authorities appealed to school owners and community leaders to adhere strictly to security advisories, stressing that safeguarding children remains the administration’s top priority.
The situation took a more worrying turn when the Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that the number of abducted victims had risen to 315 after a full census. Bishop Yohanna said 303 students and 12 teachers were taken, with 88 additional pupils discovered missing after they attempted to escape. He urged parents to remain calm as efforts continue in collaboration with security operatives and government officials.
Gunmen reportedly arrived in the early hours of Friday on more than 60 motorcycles, accompanied by a van, shooting the gatekeeper and abducting students from both the primary and secondary sections. The attack occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and was later confirmed by the Niger State Police Command.
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Amid rising concerns, the Federal Government ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across vulnerable regions. The Ministry of Education cited recent security challenges and directed school principals to comply immediately. The directive followed two other major abductions within the same week in Kebbi and Kwara states.
President Bola Tinubu has since directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi as school abductions continue to heighten fears nationwide. UNICEF and global education bodies have reiterated calls for Nigeria to strengthen learner safety as attacks on schools persist.
