Days after 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, terrorists have abducted several students from St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
The state police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday.
“The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21st November, 2025, at about 2:00 a.m., a report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the School’s hostel,” the statement read.
Mr. Abiodun said that police tactical units, military personnel, and other security agencies had been deployed to the area and were combing nearby forests to rescue the abducted students.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reiterated the Command’s determination to secure the safe release of the students and appealed to the public to remain calm and support security operations.
Mr. Elleman also assured that the incident would be investigated and that necessary action would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite a state government directive ordering the closure of schools in the area due to security risks.
The abduction at St. Mary’s comes days after armed bandits attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the vice principal and abducting several students.
In a related development, armed bandits also attacked a Catholic Apostolic Church in Oke Isegun, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State, killing two worshippers and abducting others.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has deployed additional military reinforcements to the affected states, vowing to secure the safe release of the abducted students. He also directed Deputy Defence Minister Bello Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi immediately to oversee security operations and coordinate efforts to rescue the victims.
