Security agencies yesterday initiated a large-scale rescue operation in Niger State following an attack on St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.
The number of students and teachers abducted has not yet been confirmed.
The incident follows a string of recent attacks, including Monday’s abduction of at least 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, and Tuesday’s raid on Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State by bandits.
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit to receive further briefings on the security situation. Vice President Kashim Shettima was designated to represent Nigeria at the summit in his stead.
Tracking the terrorists for the rescue operation are special police units and military personnel, according to Wasiu Abiodun, spokesman for the Niger State Police Command.
“Police tactical units, military components and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students,” Abiodun, a Superintendent of Police, said in a statement.
He also quoted Police Commissioner Adamu Abdullahi Elleman appealing to the public to remain calm and support the security efforts.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora said the attackers struck at about 1 a.m. and operated for roughly two hours. It condemned the raid and expressed grave concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families, according to TheNation.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government faulted the school authorities for creating the conditions that allowed the abduction. Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said the school violated a prior directive that all boarding schools and construction activities in the area be suspended due to heightened security threats.
“This unfortunate incident occurred despite prior intelligence indicating an increased threat level in parts of Niger North Senatorial District. In response to these credible alerts, the state government had earlier issued a directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone,” Usman explained.
He added, “Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk.”
The Niger State Government confirmed that security agencies had commenced comprehensive investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the students. It said officials remain in close contact with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as new information emerges.
Authorities also urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly follow security advisories, emphasizing that the protection of lives, particularly children, remains the administration’s top priority.
The police further warned that they would take “necessary action” against the school management for disregarding the government’s closure order.
Residents in the area reported that they initially believed the attackers were robbers. The chaos created by the invasion reportedly prevented locals from assisting the students during the attack. It
