Terrorists raid Catholic school in Niger, abduct students, staff members
Story by Okafor Vivian
St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution located in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, was attacked in the early hours of Friday, with several students and staff abducted. The raid occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., according to Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief in Agwara LGA.
Authorities are still verifying the exact number of victims as the school continues to compile its records.
A source from one of the Catholic churches in Niger State confirmed the incident, stating, “Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day.” He added that the school is still assessing the full extent of the abductions.
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Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the police are currently evaluating the situation: “We will release official information as soon as it becomes available.”
The attack has heightened concerns over the vulnerability of schools across northern Nigeria. It comes just days after the abduction of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, underscoring a worrying surge in school-related attacks by armed groups.
Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia noted the deepening anxiety in communities: “People are living in fear. Our priority is to ensure the safety of students and staff while working closely with security agencies to secure the area.”
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On Thursday, more than 50 schools were shut down in Kwara State as a precaution following recent bandit activities. In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu canceled scheduled visits to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the government’s intervention efforts.
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