Terrorists have attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School located in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, kidnapping a yet-to-be-confirmed number of students and teachers.
The attack reportedly took place at about 2 a.m. on Thursday.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said security agencies were still trying to determine the exact number of kidnapped victims.
According to him, intelligence received earlier had indicated rising security threats in parts of Niger North, prompting the government to suspend construction activities and close all boarding schools in the affected zone as a precaution.
He stated that a search-and-rescue operation had begun, and security agents were already combing suspected hideouts to recover the abducted pupils and staff.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Ellema, also confirmed the attack, saying tactical police units, the military and other security operatives had been deployed to the area.
A statement from the Head of Disaster and Relief, Agwara LGA, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, further disclosed that officials were still verifying the number of abducted students and employees.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said additional information would be released after ongoing investigations.
