Niger State is reeling after a fresh wave of violence: gunmen have abducted dozens of students and staff from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic boarding institution in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. According to state officials, the attack occurred in the early hours between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., catching the school entirely unprepared.
Preliminary reports indicate around 52 students and staff may have been taken, though local authorities say the exact figure has not been officially confirmed. The State Government has condemned the incident, calling it “deeply distressing,” and confirming that security agencies have already launched a large-scale rescue operation. Meanwhile, worried parents and community leaders have urged for rapid intelligence-led intervention to secure the safe return of the abducted.
The abduction comes despite a previous security advisory in the region. According to the Niger State Government, several intelligence warnings had been issued about increased threat levels in the north-eastern parts of the state, yet the school reportedly resumed operations without obtaining clearance or consulting security officials. This alleged oversight has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning how a known risk was allowed to persist.
Traditional and religious leaders in Agwara have decried the incident as yet another symptom of Nigeria’s deteriorating security environment, especially in rural and semi-remote zones. Many victims’ families have said they feel abandoned by the system. One grieving parent appealed to national authorities: “These are children—our hope for the future. Please rescue them now.”
Security experts have weighed in, noting that the abduction fits a distressing pattern: schools targeted for their vulnerability and for the potential ransom value of children. “These gangs are no longer just bandits; they operate like organized criminal enterprises,” said one analyst, pointing to the use of night raids, motorcycles, and coordinated escape routes.
The military has been mobilized, and ground troops are reportedly conducting sweep operations in the forests surrounding Papiri. Air units are also being deployed for surveillance, though the terrain and dense vegetation pose substantial logistical challenges. Sources within the security establishment say that a successful rescue will hinge on reliable human intelligence, and the cooperation of local informants is seen as critical.
Civil society organizations have condemned the school’s reopening, calling it reckless without adequate protective measures. “When schools reopen in high-risk zones, it’s not just about education—it’s about planning for safety,” said one NGO leader. She added that victims’ families should be provided with legal and psychosocial support once rescue efforts are complete. As rescue efforts continue, the nation watches anxiously. The Niger State Government has pledged to keep the public informed, while parents pray for the safe return of their loved ones. The broader fear, however, lingers: whether this abduction is just the latest sign of a worsening trend, where schooling places become the targets of criminal gangs emboldened by lawlessness.