‘We warned them’- Niger govt speaks on abduction of 52 students in Papiri

The Niger State Government on Friday reacted to the abduction of 52 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, confirming that the attack occurred after the school resumed operations without government clearance, despite a prior directive suspending boarding activities in the region.

Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), explained that the government had received credible intelligence warning of increased security threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District. As a precaution, authorities had suspended all construction work and ordered the temporary closure of boarding schools within the affected zone.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” Usman said.

While details of the attack remain under investigation, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed that the terrorists struck the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. The exact number of abducted pupils and staff is yet to be verified as security agencies continue assessments and search-and-rescue operations.

The Niger State Government urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly follow security advisories issued in the interest of public safety. Authorities are appealing to the public to provide any useful information that could aid the safe recovery of the kidnapped students.

This incident comes days after a similar abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, intensifying concerns about the deteriorating security situation in schools across the region.