Niger State — Five days after the school attack in Kebbi State, armed men launched another devastating strike, storming St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours of Friday, November 21. More than 52 students and teachers were reportedly abducted during the overnight raid.
Sources revealed that the attackers invaded the school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., overpowering local security and taking away students and staff into surrounding forest areas.
A representative of one of the Catholic churches associated with the school confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, saying the institution was still compiling its records of those missing.
“Yes, the incident occurred, but I am not in a position to release details for now. The church will issue an official statement later today,” the source said.
The Niger State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, noted that further details would be made available as investigations progress. Meanwhile, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, affirmed the attack via telephone and stated that authorities were conducting assessments to establish the exact number of abductees.
Fresh concerns after Kebbi abductions
The incident deepens concerns about a renewed wave of attacks targeting schools in northern Nigeria. The raid follows a similar kidnapping in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were abducted earlier in the week.
The situation intensified on Thursday when authorities announced the shutdown of more than 50 schools in Kwara State due to persistent bandit activity.