In a chilling pre-dawn attack, suspected terrorists stormed St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State, abducting more than 100 students and staff.
The Niger State Government confirmed the nightmare on Friday, November 21, 2025, stating that security forces are urgently assessing the scale of the attack. The exact number of victims remains unclear as rescue efforts intensify.
An anonymous local source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the raid occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., with the terrorists forcibly taking a large number of pupils and school workers in a brazen assault.
Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to Niger Government, in a statement condemned the incident.
Usman said the incident occurred in spite of earlier intelligence reports indicating heightened security threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
According him, the government, based on the intelligence, had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected zone.
He said, however St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the government, thereby exposing pupils and staffers to danger.
The SGG said security agencies had commenced full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.
He further said that the state government was in close contact with relevant security formations and would give updates as more information becomes available.
He urged school proprietors, community leaders and stakeholders to comply strictly with government security advisories.
Usman appealed to the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in their operations.
The Niger state Police Command was yet to comment on the development.
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