Terrorists Kidnap 215 Students and 12 Teachers from Catholic school in Niger as situation worsens

At least 215 pupils and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were abducted on Friday after terrorists stormed the school.

NIGERIA NEWS 247 earlier reported that the heavily armed attackers struck in the early hours of the morning, seizing a large number of students and staff before fleeing the area.

An official of the Catholic Diocese of Kotangora, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to address the media, said more than 300 students were initially unaccounted for following the incident. He added that several children later managed to return on their own.

“They invaded the school at about 2 a.m. The kidnappers fired shots into the air throughout the attack,” the source said. “Some students escaped by jumping over the fence. Others hid in the bush and started returning around 6 a.m. It was a terrifying experience.”

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed on Friday evening that 215 pupils and 12 teachers remain in captivity.

“I have just returned from the village where I visited the school and met with parents,” Yohanna said. “We are working closely with the government and security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the children.”

The mass abduction has heightened nationwide fear, forcing many private and public schools to abruptly suspend their terminal examinations and shut down over security concerns.

NIGERIA NEWS 247 also observed that Nigerians are increasingly avoiding major public gatherings to reduce the risk of being attacked or abducted.

On Friday night, the Federal Ministry of Education announced the closure of 41 Unity Colleges across the country. Similarly, the governments of Plateau and Katsina states have ordered the immediate shutdown of all schools within their jurisdictions.