By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Terrorists reportedly attacked St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, in the early hours of Friday, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers, Sahara Reporters has learnt.
According to multiple community sources who visited the school after the incident, the attack appeared to be a coordinated operation that took place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, 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 Sahara Reporters, 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 detailed the scale of the abduction, 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.”
Despite these claims, the exact number of abducted individuals remains unclear. Community members who spoke to Sahara Reporters suggested that the attackers took “more than a dozen” children, though these figures have not been independently verified.
Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement. When contacted by Sahara Reporters, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer Wasiu Abiodun said that efforts were ongoing to confirm the attack.
The incident occurred just five days after terrorists attacked Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, abducting around 25 female students and killing at least one staff member.