Abduction: Niger govt blames school

The Niger State Government on Friday condemned the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, saying the incident occurred after the school reopened without government clearance despite a prior directive suspending boarding activities in the area

Details of the attack remain unclear, but according to Daily Trust, multiple sources said several students were taken during the midnight raid.

The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, who confirmed the attack via telephone, said the terrorists stormed the school between 2:00 am and 3:00 am, adding that the actual number of abducted students and staff had yet to be determined as authorities continue their assessments.

In a statement signed and released on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, the government said it had received credible intelligence warning of an increased threat in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.

He noted that, as a precaution, the state had ordered the suspension of all construction work and the temporary closure of boarding schools within the affected zone.

“This unfortunate incident comes despite prior intelligence report obtained by the government indicating an increased threat level in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.

“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” Usman said.

He added that the exact number of pupils taken remains unconfirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.

He added that the exact number of pupils taken remains unconfirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation.

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