The Niger State Government has confirmed the abduction of an unspecified number of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, after armed men invaded the school in the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025.
According to government officials, the assailants stormed the school at about 2:00 a.m. and executed the attack swiftly, taking away several pupils and staff members. Security agencies are still working to determine the exact number of those abducted.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, the government expressed “deep sadness” over the incident, noting that the attack occurred despite earlier security warnings. Usman revealed that authorities had received credible intelligence indicating heightened threats across parts of the northern senatorial district.
Following the intelligence, the state had directed the closure of all boarding schools and suspended construction activities in affected areas as precautionary measures. However, St. Mary’s Catholic School reportedly defied the directive, reopening for academic activities without notifying or seeking approval from the government.
Security agencies have since launched a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operation aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted pupils and staff. The state government says it remains in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more details emerge.
Authorities also urged school owners, community leaders, and stakeholders to adhere strictly to security advisories, stressing that protecting lives, especially those of children, remains a top priority of the administration.
The attack adds to the growing concerns over rising school abductions in northern Nigeria, with communities calling for strengthened security presence and proactive intelligence response to prevent further tragedies.