- Niger Government confirms pupils were abducted from St. Mary’s School after reopening against security warnings.
- State earlier ordered closure of boarding schools in high-risk areas due to increased threat alerts.
- Gunmen arrived in large numbers, reportedly on over 60 motorcycles, injuring the gatekeeper.
- Security agencies have launched search-and-rescue operations and a full investigation.
The Niger State Government has expressed deep concern over the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, calling the incident both heartbreaking and preventable.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, the government said the exact number of abducted pupils remains uncertain as security agencies continue verifying the situation. Usman explained that the state had previously received credible intelligence pointing to heightened security threats across parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.
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Acting on these warnings, the government suspended all construction activities and ordered the temporary closure of boarding schools within the affected axis as part of a broader safety strategy. Despite this directive, St. Mary’s School reportedly reopened without notifying authorities or seeking clearance, a step the government said placed pupils and staff in unnecessary danger.
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Security sources reported that the attackers arrived in large numbers, riding on more than 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a vehicle. The gunmen were said to have stormed the premises in the early hours of the morning, shooting the school’s gatekeeper and leaving him critically injured before abducting an unspecified number of students.
The state government said security agencies have now intensified search-and-rescue operations and launched a full investigation to track the attackers and ensure the safe return of the pupils. Officials noted that the government remains in constant communication with security formations and will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
Authorities appealed to school owners, community leaders and residents across the state to comply strictly with official security advisories, stressing that the protection of children remains the government’s highest priority. Citizens were urged to remain calm and support security efforts with credible information that could aid the rescue mission.
