GUNMEN have reportedly kidnapped an undisclosed number of students during an attack on St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the attackers stormed the school, said to be a private Catholic school located in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday night.
Sources told this newspaper that the gunmen arrived in large numbers, riding on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van.
They were said to have shot the school’s gatekeeper, leaving him with serious injuries.
A source in Agwara who confirmed the incident said, “Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed.”
Another source claimed that some teachers were also forcibly taken away during the attack.
“In the middle of the night, our community was shaken by a deeply tragic event. Bandits invaded St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State. A Catholic private boarding school for boys and girls.
“Students and teachers were forcefully taken away during the attack.
“This is an extremely distressing moment for families, the communities, and Niger State as a whole. These are innocent young students and dedicated educators whose lives and futures are now at risk. Their safety must be a priority,” the source said.
As of the time of this report, the exact number of abducted individuals had yet to be confirmed by authorities.
However, community sources fear that the number of people kidnapped may be significant, with some claiming that it could exceed 100.
Meanwhile the Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the students.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said tactical units, alongside military components and other security operatives, had been deployed to the area.
Abiodun stated that the combined security forces were currently conducting extensive search operations across the surrounding forests in an effort to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted students.
Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
Elleman, however, said that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, stressing that appropriate actions would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s earlier directive ordering the closure of schools in the area due to heightened security threats.