Breaking: Terrorists Kidnapped Over 52 Students From Catholic School In Niger State

Heavily armed terrorists launched a pre-dawn attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, in the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025.

The invasion occurred between 3 and 4 a.m., and multiple local sources have confirmed that the attackers abducted a large number of students and staff.

St. Mary’s is a private Catholic secondary school with boarding students, and most of the victims are believed to be those in the hostel at the time of the attack.

No casualties were reported, but the exact number of abducted students and teachers is still unconfirmed.

Local accounts from the scene claim that more than 100 students and several teachers were taken.

Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, the Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, confirmed the incident, alongside Bello Gidi, media aide to the Chairman of Agwara Local Government.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, Gidi said, “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.”

He further disclosed the scale of the attack, stating, “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 forces have reportedly mobilised toward the area, but there are no confirmed rescues or arrests.

The Niger State Government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, condemned the abduction and said the incident occurred despite earlier security intelligence warning of heightened threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District. The government noted it had ordered the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“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,” the statement said.

The government confirmed that full scale investigation and search and rescue efforts are underway and assured the public it remains in close communication with security agencies. It also urged school proprietors and community leaders to adhere strictly to previously issued security directives.

“The protection of lives, especially those of our children, remains the utmost priority of this administration,” the statement added, calling on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives.

This attack comes just days after another mass school abduction in the northwest, where 25 girls were taken from Maga in Kebbi State earlier in the week.