The Papiri community in Niger State has been thrown into panic after armed militants attacked a Catholic-owned school in the early hours of Friday, November 21, abducting several students in yet another assault on educational institutions in northern Nigeria.
The attack occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., when gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in Papiri, Borgu Local Government Area, and whisked away an unconfirmed number of students.
Mohammed Inuwa, senior legislative aide to Rt. Hon. Jafar Muhammad Ali (Shattiman Borgu) — the lawmaker representing Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency — confirmed the incident in a statement to Legit.ng.
According to Inuwa:
“Yes, it happened around 3 to 4 a.m., and the number of students abducted is not yet confirmed. The police command of the local government has been informed.”
Security agencies are yet to provide official figures, and efforts to obtain detailed information have been unsuccessful so far.
When contacted, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said he would need more time to verify the situation before issuing a formal response.
Online Reactions and Claims
A social media user identified as D English Alhaji raised alarm online, alleging that over 100 students and several teachers were abducted during the raid. Though this figure has not been confirmed by authorities, it has sparked widespread concern.
Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni also shared the report, lamenting the growing spate of school kidnappings in Northern Nigeria. He wrote:
“We are yet to recover the Kebbi girls and we now have over 100 school children kidnapped last night at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary School in Agwara LG of Niger State.”
Authorities have yet to clarify the exact number of victims, and rescue operations are expected to intensify as more details emerge.
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