Terrorists have attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff.
Sources told Daily Trust that the attackers invaded the school in the early hours of Friday, between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., carting away many students during the raid. Officials say the exact number of abductees is still being compiled.
A source within the Catholic Church in Niger State confirmed the incident, noting that the Church will issue an official statement later.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said details would be provided in due course. The Head of Disaster and Relief in Agwara LGA, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, also confirmed the attack, stating that assessment efforts were ongoing.
The incident comes days after terrorists kidnapped 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, raising further alarm about escalating attacks on schools in the region. On Thursday, over 50 schools were closed in Kwara State due to bandit activities.
President Bola Tinubu recently cancelled planned trips to South Africa and Angola to focus on Nigeria’s worsening security situation.