BREAKING: Bandits Invade Catholic School In Niger State, Abduct Students And Staff
An unknown number of students and staff have been abducted from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. Sources said the school was attacked during a night raid, with several students taken. A representative from one of the state’s Catholic churches confirmed the incident but said details were still being compiled. “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,” the source said. The Niger State Police Command, through spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, said further information would be provided later. Meanwhile, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Department for Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, confirmed the attack, stating that the terrorists struck between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., and the exact number of abducted students and staff is still being verified. The incident follows a recent kidnapping in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were taken, raising concerns over escalating insecurity in northern schools. On Thursday, more than 50 schools in Kwara State were closed due to rising bandit activity. President Bola Tinubu recently cancelled trips to South Africa and Angola to focus on coordinating the federal government’s response to the worsening security situation.