A fresh wave of school abductions hit Niger State on Friday as 215 pupils and 12 teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, were whisked away by armed bandits in a dawn raid that has triggered nationwide outrage.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, confirmed the exact number hours after the attack, ending earlier speculations by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kontagora which had said the number of abductees was still unclear.
Speaking after visiting the affected community late Friday, CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, described the incident as “devastating” and urged residents to remain calm while security agencies intensify rescue efforts.
“I have just returned from the school where I met with distraught parents. We are working with the government and security agencies to ensure every child and teacher is rescued safely,” Yohanna said.
He added that several pupils fled into nearby bushes during the attack, while parents have since rushed to retrieve the unhurt children following the school’s shutdown.
The siege on St. Mary’s has compounded Nigeria’s worsening security situation, occurring barely 48 hours after mass abductions in Kwara and Kebbi states.
The Federal Ministry of Education, reacting to the escalating attacks, ordered the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
Similarly, the governments of Plateau and Katsina have announced immediate closure of public and private schools until security improves.
However, the Presidency — which earlier said it was “on top of the situation” regarding the abduction of students at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State — has remained silent on the Niger tragedy as of press time.
President Bola Tinubu, reacting to the Kebbi and Kwara abductions earlier on Friday, suspended two scheduled foreign trips to summits in South Africa and Angola.
He also directed the Minister of State for Defence to relocate to Kebbi State and oversee rescue coordination.
Following the fresh Niger incident, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar renewed his call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity, warning that the country is “drifting into deeper chaos.”
Security analysts say the latest abduction underscores Nigeria’s persistent failure to secure its schools more than a decade after the Chibok girls’ tragedy.
The attack has reawakened national fears over the safety of students, particularly in rural communities where security presence remains weak.
Community sources told PLATFORM TIMES that residents have fled surrounding villages, fearing a possible return of the attackers.
Efforts to reach Niger Police Command for comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages to the spokesperson were not returned.
Families of the abducted pupils are appealing to authorities not to delay action.
“We are begging the government — don’t let our children disappear like others before them,” a parent told reporters through tears.
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