By MUHAMMED DANBABA
Authorities Mobilise Tactical Teams After 52 Students, Teachers Abducted in Niger State
The tense quiet of Papiri community in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, has stretched into another day as security operatives race against time to rescue the school children and teachers abducted from St Mary Private Primary and Secondary School. What began as a normal school night turned into terror when armed men stormed the Catholic boarding school in the early hours of Thursday, whisking away pupils, teachers and a security guard.
The attack, which occurred between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., has been confirmed by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora and state authorities. Although the exact number of staff members taken remains unclear, security agencies and Reuters reports indicate that about 52 students were kidnapped from the school.
While families wait anxiously for good news, the St Mary Papiri school kidnapping has once again exposed the vulnerabilities of rural communities and the complex security challenges surrounding schools in the North-central region.
How the Attack Happened
Residents recount hearing sporadic gunfire as the attackers forced their way into the school compound. A security guard who tried to resist was shot and left in critical condition. In the confusion, several dormitories were invaded, and dozens of pupils were herded into the bush under the cover of darkness.
Local sources said the attackers broke into both the primary and secondary sections, targeting boarding students in particular. By dawn, the scale of the tragedy began to unfold, prompting frantic calls to the authorities.
The Diocese of Kontagora condemned the attack, describing it as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” while urging the government to deploy all necessary measures to secure the safe return of the captives.
Government Blames the School for Ignoring Security Advisory
In a development that has stirred debate across Niger State, the government disclosed that St Mary’s allegedly reopened its boarding facility without official clearance. The Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the school acted against a standing directive suspending boarding operations in high-risk communities.
According to him, the area had been under elevated security alert following intelligence reports of possible attacks by armed groups operating around the Niger–Kebbi boundary forests. He insisted the tragedy might have been avoided if the school adhered to the advisory.
However, community members argue that the government itself has failed to provide adequate protection for rural schools, leaving residents exposed despite repeated cries for help. For them, the St Mary Papiri school kidnapping only reinforces their sense of abandonment.
Security Forces Launch Search and Rescue Operation
Following the incident, the Niger State Police Command deployed a tactical rescue team, supported by soldiers and local vigilante groups. The joint operation has begun combing the vast forests stretching toward the Benin Republic border. Security sources disclosed that the abductors are believed to be heading deeper into the bush, possibly attempting to evade aerial surveillance.
Police spokespersons confirmed that efforts are ongoing, but they have yet to release updates regarding contact with the kidnappers. Military sources, however, hinted that early intelligence suggests the abductors split the victims into smaller groups, a common tactic used to slow down rescue units and complicate negotiation efforts.
The Catholic Diocese, CAN in Niger State, and community leaders have called for calm and intensified prayers as the hunt continues.
A Pattern of Violence and a Community in Distress
This incident adds to a worrying trend of school kidnappings in Niger State, a region increasingly targeted by armed groups seeking ransom payments or leveraging mass abductions to assert dominance. Papiri and neighbouring communities have suffered recurrent attacks in recent years, leaving many families traumatised and pushing schools to the brink of closure.
Parents who gathered at the school after the attack could be seen weeping and clutching photographs of their missing children. Several described an overwhelming sense of helplessness and frustration. One mother, trembling as she spoke, said her child had been in the boarding house for only six weeks.
“This is not a life. Every month we are afraid. Our children are not safe at home, not safe in school,” she lamented.
What Happens Next?
As the search deepens, questions remain about the preparedness of security agencies and the fate of schoolchildren living in remote communities. The rescue operation continues, with the state government promising “constant updates” as actionable intelligence becomes available.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Diocese has set up support channels for parents and is working closely with security authorities. Negotiation efforts have not yet been disclosed, but experts say early engagement could improve chances of recovery.
For the people of Agwara LGA, hope now rests on a swift, coordinated response that brings their children home safely. Until then, the St Mary Papiri school kidnapping stands as another grim reminder of the fragile state of rural education and the urgent need for stronger security protection.
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