Niger Govt Faults School for Ignoring Closure Order Before Kidnap Attack
The Niger State Government has condemned the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Agwara LGA, stressing that the midnight raid occurred after the school ignored a clear instruction to shut down operations due to rising security threats.
Multiple sources told Daily Trust that gunmen invaded the school between 2:00am and 3:00am on Friday, whisking away several pupils in a coordinated attack. The exact number of abductees remains unclear as authorities continue verification.
Confirming the incident, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief, Agwara LGA, told reporters via telephone that a headcount was underway to determine those missing.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, the state explained that it had earlier issued a formal directive suspending all construction works and ordering the early closure of boarding schools in parts of Niger North after receiving actionable intelligence about imminent terrorist activities.
Read Also:
“This unfortunate incident comes despite prior intelligence indicating an increased threat level in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District,” the SSG said.
“St. Mary’s School was duly informed to close and suspend boarding activities as a precaution. Regrettably, the school reopened without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable danger.”
Usman said security agencies had launched a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operation to secure the safe return of the abducted children.
He urged residents and school proprietors to strictly comply with government security advisories, noting that non-adherence puts vulnerable communities at heightened risk.
The attack comes just days after 25 students were abducted from a school in Maga, Kebbi State, raising fresh concerns over escalating assaults on educational institutions. In Kwara, more than 50 schools were recently shut due to bandit threats.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since cancelled his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate federal response efforts as insecurity surges across the North.
By PRNigeria
