Hussaini Ibrahim 
NIGER, Nigeria – Armed men attack St Mary’s School, a Catholic-owned boarding institution in Papiri community, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff early on Friday.
Local officials say the school is still reconciling its records to determine how many people were taken. A church official confirms the incident and says a formal statement will be released once initial findings are complete.
The Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara LGA, Ahmed Rofia, tells reporters that the attackers entered the school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. He says local authorities are still assessing the scale of the incident and coordinating with security agencies.
Residents say the assailants arrived on several motorcycles and a vehicle before leaving with students and staff. One resident, who asks not to be named for safety reasons, describes the operation as “swift and coordinated.”
The attack comes days after a similar incident in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted, heightening concerns about repeated school invasions across northern Nigeria. It also follows renewed insecurity that has forced more than 50 schools to close in parts of Kwara State.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Niger State Police Command are ongoing. Security personnel have reportedly begun search and response efforts in surrounding areas.
Federal officials have yet to issue a statement, though President Bola Tinubu cancelled two foreign trips earlier in the week to oversee national security interventions following a rise in regional attacks on communities and schools.
Local leaders in Agwara say fact-finding is underway and families are being supported as authorities work to establish a clear picture of the situation.
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