By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
Terrorists in the early hours of Friday attacked St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting at least 52 students and teachers in yet another deadly strike on Nigeria’s education system.
Residents who arrived at the scene shortly after the gunmen fled described the attack as highly coordinated, lasting between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., during which the assailants overpowered local security and forced their way into the school hostels.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command said security and military personnel have since been deployed as part of an urgent rescue operation.
However, the Niger State Government blamed the school’s management for ignoring a red-alert directive issued weeks earlier ordering all boarding schools in Niger North to remain closed due to credible intelligence about impending terrorist attacks.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, authorities said St. Mary’s School reopened “without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and staff to avoidable risk.”
The government noted that the tragedy was preventable, adding that investigations have now confirmed the school’s violation of the security directive. Additional security personnel have been sent to Agwara LGA while rescue operations continue across surrounding forests and riverine corridors.
The abduction comes just days after terrorists stormed a high school in Kebbi State, kidnapping 25 schoolgirls and killing a staff member. Earlier this week, another attack was reported in Benue State, deepening concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
As multiple rescue teams race against time, families of the abducted students have appealed for urgent federal intervention.
Further updates will be brought to the public as details emerge.
Reported by Newspot Nigeria.
