Bandits Abduct Students, Staff from Niger State Catholic School; Police Deploy Forces for Rescue
MINNA –The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the mass abduction of an unconfirmed number of students from St. Mary’s Private Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, in a late-night raid by suspected armed bandits.
The attack occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025. According to local sources, the assailants invaded the school grounds and seized students directly from their hostel.
In a statement from the Catholic Diocese, the Diocesan Secretary, Jatau Luka Joseph, provided further harrowing details, indicating that the attackers were “armed with sophisticated weapons” and abducted not only students but also pupils, teachers, and a security guard. The guard was reportedly shot before being taken captive.
Joseph appealed for prayers “to ensure the safe return of the abductees” and that God would “touch the hearts of those behind the dastardly act.”
In response, the Niger State Police Command has initiated a large-scale rescue operation. A press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu A. Abiodun, confirmed that tactical units, military components, and other security agencies have been deployed to the scene and are currently combing surrounding forests.
The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reiterating the Command’s commitment to rescuing all victims unharmed. The police expressed optimism that the students and staff would be rescued alive and appealed to the public for calm and cooperation, urging anyone with useful information to come forward to aid the operation.
The police statement also revealed a critical factor that may have contributed to the tragedy, noting that the school’s management defied a standing state government directive to close all schools in the area due to prevailing security challenges. The Command stated that this defiance “may have led to the Papiri attack.”
An investigation has been launched, with the police vowing that “necessary actions [will] be taken against anyone or group of persons suspected to have played a significant role in the abduction, including the school’s management.”
