Olayiwola Matthew
Terrorists abducted more than 52 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, in an early-morning attack on Friday, November 21. The invasion occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., marking a major security incident just five days after the school attack in Kebbi State.
Officials in Agwara Local Government confirmed the abduction. Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for the council, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the council chairman, both verified the development. Speaking with SaharaReporters, Gidi stated, “Yes it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State.”
Gidi also provided updated information regarding the number of abducted persons. He said, “The information that is reaching us is that they have kidnapped over 100 students and teachers. Also, it is a mixed school with boys and girls.”
Security agencies had not released an official statement as of the time of filing this report.
The incident follows the attack on Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, where terrorists abducted about 25 female students and killed at least one staff member. A school guard sustained injuries during the attack, which took place around 5:52 a.m.
According to accounts from the Kebbi incident, the attackers entered the school compound while students were preparing for their morning routines and opened fire indiscriminately before seizing the students.
More to come…