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- Number of abductees yet to be ascertained
Laleye Dipo in Minna
The Niger state government has claimed that the authorities of the St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara local government “ignored its security advisory” on the closure of schools in certain parts of the state as a result of insecurity.
The Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Abubakar Usman made the claim in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna on Friday in which he also confirmed the attack on the school and abduction of some staff and students of the institution .
Abubakar Usman said in the stement that: “the breach occurred despite earlier intelligence reports received by the Government warning of heightened security threats across parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
“Acting on these credible indicators, the State Government had promptly directed the suspension of all construction work and the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected axis as a preventive measure.
“Unfortunately, St. Mary’s School reopened for academic activities without notifying or obtaining clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable danger,” Usman said in the statement.
He submitted that “Security agencies have now launched full investigation and coordinated search-and-rescue operations to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils” adding that: “The Government remains in constant communication with all relevant security formations and will continue to provide updates as verified information emerges”
The government scribe however advised
“school proprietors, traditional and community leaders, and all stakeholders to strictly comply with security advisories issued for public safety”, insisting that: “Protecting the lives of citizens—especially children—remains the highest priority of this administration”.
The public is encouraged to remain calm and support security agencies with timely and credible information that may assist ongoing operations, Usman said in the statement.
The police confirmed the incident in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, in which he said its team and that of the army have already been dispatched to comb the forests for the arrest of the bandits and rescue of the abducted students.
The police statement read:
“The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21st November, 2025 at about 2.00am, report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the School’s hostel.
“However, Police tactical units, military components and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescue the abducted students
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman reiterated the Command’s commitment to rescue the students unhurt, and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security operations to rescue the students
The police reacting to the claim by the state government that the school authority ignored security advisory by government said: “it will investigate and take necessary action against the school management for continuing academic activities, contrary to the State government directive on closure of schools in the area due to security challenges”
The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN state chairman Reverend Dr Bulus Yohanna also confirmed the incident and would address the matter soon.
However a senior official of the school told THISDAY on telephone that some of the students who ran into the bush as a result of the invasion have started returning.
“For now we cannot say how many students were abducted,” the senior staff said, advising the media to “exercise patience”
It was learnt that the school is a co- educational institution but the exact number of students and teachers abducted were not revealed, though sources say they could be over 25.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora also confirmed the incident.
A statement by the Diocesan Secretary Reverend Father Jatau Joseph Luka called on the public to remain calm “and continue to pray for safe and quick return of those abducted”.
Reverend Father Luka” reaffirmed the commitment of the Diocese “to the protection of children and promised to provide further updates as verified information are available.”
