BREAKING: Over 100 Students, Teachers Kidnapped from St. Mary’s School in Niger State as Terrorists Launch Fresh Attack

• Terrorists invaded St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff during a 2–3 a.m. attack.

Terrorists have attacked St Mary’s School, a Catholic-owned institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday.

Local officials told VerseNews that the school was still compiling its records and could not yet determine how many people were taken.

A source within one of the Catholic churches in Niger State also confirmed the incident, adding that the church would issue an official statement after completing its own investigation.

The Head of Department for Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Rofia, confirmed the attack via telephone, stating that the gunmen invaded the school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., and that authorities were still assessing the extent of the abductions.

VerseNews contacted the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, who said he was aware of the enquiry and would provide details when available.
“I know what you are calling. I will get the details and get back to you,” he said. When pressed further, he added, “I need to get the details before. I will get back to you. Just give me time.”

Papiri is located about 7 kilometres from Babana, where JNIM, an al-Qaeda affiliate operating in the Sahel, publicly announced its presence in July.

The school attack comes less than a week after the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, deepening concerns over escalating violence targeting educational institutions.

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Papiri town is one of the ten political wards in Agwara LGA. A source in Rofia, a community 30 kilometres away, also confirmed the attack.

The source, whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons, said residents believe the terrorists arrived with 60 motorcycles and a van.

“They packed the students and their teachers in the van and went away with them,” the source said.

Bello Gidi, spokesperson for the Agwara Local Government Chairperson, Ilyasu Zakari, confirmed the incident and noted that efforts are ongoing to gather “factual details of the incident.”

The raid occurred just days after 25 students were kidnapped in Maga, Kebbi State, further heightening fears about worsening insecurity in the region.

On Thursday, more than 50 schools were shut across parts of Kwara State following repeated bandit incursions.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cancelled scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola this week to coordinate government response to the deteriorating security situation.