By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

The wave of school abductions sweeping across northern Nigeria intensified overnight as terrorists invaded St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, whisking away an unconfirmed number of pupils and staff—barely five days after the mass kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.

In its first official reaction, the Niger State Government squarely blamed the management of St. Mary’s School for the tragedy, accusing the institution of violating a security directive issued weeks earlier following intelligence of heightened terrorist activities in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the government expressed “deep sadness” over the incident, noting that security agencies were still working to determine the exact number of victims.

According to the SSG, credible intelligence had earlier signaled “an increased threat level” in the region, prompting the government to order a temporary shutdown of all boarding schools and halt all construction activities within the high-risk zone.

However, the government lamented that St. Mary’s School allegedly ignored the directive.

“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 staff to avoidable risk,” the statement said.

Standard Times Nigeria Newspaper gathered that the terrorists stormed the school in a coordinated overnight assault that lasted from about 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., overpowering local security and abducting scores of students and teachers.

Community sources who rushed to the school after the attack described scenes of chaos and fear, confirming that dozens were taken away in the dead of night.

The Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident, as did the media aide to the Agwara LG chairman, Bello Gidi.

Speaking on the phone, Gidi said: “Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State.”

He further disclosed that preliminary reports indicate that over 100 students and teachers may have been abducted.
“The school is a mixed school—boys and girls—and the number taken is very high,” he added.

As security agencies intensify rescue operations, parents and community members have been thrown into anguish, fearing a repeat of the prolonged captivity seen in similar school abductions across the region.

The Niger State Government says updates will be provided as investigations and rescue efforts continue.